NEW EVENT

Swimrun Bewl

Gritty course

  • 7th June 2026
  • Bewl Water, Kent
ENTER TODAY PAIRS | SOLO

21.26 km

Total Distance

17km / 10 runs

run Distance

4km / 9 swims

Swim Distance

19%

Swim Percentage

Quick Links

Expect epic trail sections, quiet country roads, steep hills, and a great adventure through the scenic Kent countryside. You’ll head straight downhill and into the open water, before heading out on a challenging mixed terrain loop around the reservoir. The final run stretches feature grass tracks and wooded areas, with a couple more swims before you make your way back around to the finish line.

Race Details

Race Details

Total race distance: 21.26km | Ascent: 205 m
10 x run sections | 9 x swim sections
Run total: 17.0km | Longest run: 7,200m
Swim total: 4,0km | Longest swim: 1,100m

Included in the entry

Included in the entry

The Bewl Gritty course is raced as a solo or as a team.

Gritty Course Solo Entry

  • Door Buster: £105
  • Early Bird: £115 (ends 31 Dec 2025)
  • Standard: £125 (ends 17 May 2026)
  • Last Minute: £145

Gritty Course Team Entry

  • Door Buster: £200
  • Early Bird: £220 (ends 31 Dec 2025)
  • Standard: £240 (ends 17 May 2026)
  • Last Minute: £280

The entry fee includes the following:

  • Swim cap
  • Finisher’s medal
  • Race timing
  • Race nutrition and hydration
  • Free event photography
ENTER THE GRITTY RACE

The Gritty Course

The Gritty Course

  • Estimated completion time: 2:30 – 3:45 hours
  • Terrain: Undulating run sections on a mix of trails, tracks, fields, and woodland paths.
  • Swimming: Open water swimming in Bewl Water with easy swim entries and exits into the reservoir.

Map – Gritty course

Distances and timings subject to change. Update here.

StartRun (m)Swim (m)Cumulative (km)
Run 1175175
Swim 18501,025
Run 26001,625
Swim 24002,025
Run 33002,325
Swim 34002,725
Run 42,0004,725
Swim 43505,075
Run 59005,975
Swim 53006,275
Run 68507,125
Swim 62707,395
Run 77,20014,595
Swim 71,00015,595
Run 84,00019,595
Swim 825019,845
Run 92019,865
Swim 960020,465
Run 1080021,265
FinishTotal: 21,265
Distance21.27 km
Ascent / Descent205 m / 205 m
Uphill6.93 km (33.3%)
Downhill6.48 km (31.2%)
Flat7.38 km (35.5%)
Steepest Uphill+11.1% (at 12.24km)
Steepest Downhill-18.9% (at 14.13km)
Longest Uphill1.53 km (at 9.27 km)
Longest Downhill0.99 km (at 0.00 km)

The course will be fully marked – but stay alert! Don’t just follow the person in front! The person in front might be on a different race to you, or might not be paying attention themselves. This is an adventure race and requires focus and awareness. Taking the wrong course or skipping sections may lead to disqualification.

Swim transitions will be marked by large flags and staffed by our wonderful marshals.

We support local charities and groups for every marshal that supports us on the event so please let us know if you know someone who would like to join our marshal team.

You do not need a map on the route when competing.

Mandatory Kit

Mandatory Kit

All athletes MUST have the following:

  • Suitable footwear
    Trainers or trail shoes must be worn throughout the entire race
  • Swim cap
    Must be worn for every swim section, supplied by us.
  • A wetsuit
    Westsuits are mandatory at Swimrun Bewl if the water temperature is below 14 degrees C. Otherwise you may wear a trisuit, swimming gear, t-shirt and shorts.
  • A whistle
    For attracting attention in an emergency
  • A reusable, collapsible or soft cup or flask
    Must be genuinely reusable, ie no paper cups. Essential for aid stations and the finish line. No single use bottles. We operate water dispensers only.
  • Small compression bandage
    Must be waterproof-packed and carried during the race.

Optional equipment

  • An inflated and brightly coloured tow float
  • Athletes can, if they wish, use paddles, pull buoys and fins (no longer than 15cm, measured from the toe).

All optional and mandatory equipment must be carried from start to finish.

Nutrition / Aid Stations

Nutrition / Aid Stations

There will be a water station at the start/ finish location for all athletes in all races. Additional water / aid stations are outlined below. We will notify you nearer the time if any changes to these positions are made.

  • 6km Experience race – water / aid station at start / finish line
  • 10km Sprint race – water / aid station at 6km
  • 21km Gritty race – water / aid stations at 5.2km and 15.8km

An aid station will incorporate water dispensers, electrolyte drink option, jelly sweets (or equivalent), plus gels for Gritty course athletes.

Logistics

Logistics

The logistics for this event will be updated here and all athletes will be sent emails if any major changes are confirmed. Please read below as to what is presently in place.

Race Day Timetable (Sunday 7th September, 2026)

TIMEEVENT
0645 – 0820Registration Open
0820Mandatory Race Safety Briefing – 21km, 10km, 6km participants (at the start line).
083021km Gritty Race Start
083510km Sprint Race & 6km Experience Race Start
1040 (TBC)Prize Giving – 6km Experience & 10km Sprint
1130 (TBC)Prize Giving – 21km Gritty

All races will begin with a mass start, and your time will start on the starting hooter. Please position yourself according to your pace and ability at the start line.

Once at the car park, follow the signs and head to the Gritty Rascals gazebo to register on race morning.

  1. Collect your race bib and swim cap – you must wear your race bib at all times throughout the race, and you must wear your swim cap for every swim section.
  2. Key drop available – use envelopes provided at registration

You will need to bring the following to registration:

  • Photo identification
  • All your mandatory kit (see above section for mandatory kit)

Race Briefing

Make sure you are at the start line 10 minutes before your race starts for the mandatory race briefing.

Let’s get your ready to race!

Bag drop not available at Swimrun Bewl. However, we will be providing a key drop service at registration.

NOTE: There will be event staff at the finish area but anything left in your car will be at your own risk.

The event is based at Bewl Water in Kent. head straight for the main car park using the following postcode: TN3 8JH,

Postcode: TN3 8JH – this will bring you straight to the main car park.
Please note: There is a parking charge

The race start is next to the Event HQ where registration takes place on the morning of the race. You will see signs from the main car park.

You will receive your medal once you cross the finish line.

Please make sure you hand back your race bib in exchange for your goodie bag.

Relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Camping is available at Bewl Water. Some of the event team will be staying and what a wonderful way to spend a weekend. To book please view the following page for information and booking link: bewlwater.co.uk/camping/

Safety Measures

Safety Measures

The race course will have a marshal team managing the swim entries and swim exits with flags, a water safety team managing each swim, and a first aid team strategically located.

If you or another participant needs assistance, use your whistle to attract attention if you cannot reach a marshal. Athletes: please assist if you hear. a whistle and alert the nearest marshal immediately.

Swim Sections

Swim Entry & Swim Exit Points

  • Only enter / exit the water at designated points (chosen to minimise ecological impact and add challenge and adventure)
  • No diving is permitted at any point
  • Watch for underwater hazards (rocks, ledges, etc)
  • Take your time standing up after a swim – you may feel briefly disoriented
  • Marshals will be at swim entries and exits to help – listen to their instructions

Run Sections

Much of the course is off-road, with some rough ground and natural hazards. Expect:

  • Mud, lumps, bumps, tree roots
  • Overhanging branches, uneven surfaces
  • Quiet roads on the 21km course – be aware of traffic and move to verges when needed

Early Retirement

If you need to stop and withdraw from the race:

  • Report to the nearest marshal
  • Let registration know you’ve retired
  • Return your race bib back to Event HQ

We use cut off times to make sure that everyone completes the race safely. Cut offs are also critical for our safety plan for the positions and movements of boats and the medical team.

Cut offs for water entry points are as follows (please review and plan your race accordingly):

  • 6km Experience race – cut off into any water: 1130 hrs
  • 10km Sprint race – cut off into any water: 1130 hrs
  • 21km Gritty race – cut off into any water: 1245 hrs

The water safety team will move to different sections of the course when swims open and close for athletes. If you don’t make a swim entry on time and miss the cut off, then you will not be allowed to enter the water as the water safety team will be moving on to a different part of the course.

If you’re in trouble:

  • Roll on to your back, raise one arm
  • A safety team will attend to you promptly
  • If a boat assists you, hold on to the front of the craft only

Our medical team will be positioned strategically around the course and move according to the timings of the athletes. A medical team will be stationed at the finish point throughout the time athletes cross the line.

We operate a zero-tolerance policy on litter. Drop litter = immediate disqualification.

  • Use bins in the event village
  • Use bins at aid stations

We share the space with other visitors to Bewl Water. Please:

  • Shut all gates behind you
  • Be courteous to walkers and locals
  • Follow the Countryside Code
  • Treat the trails, tracks and roads as if they were your own

Decisions made by the Race Director, Marshals, and Safety Crew are final.

Final Checklists

Final Checklists

  • Enter your race
  • Book your camping spot / accommodation
  • Check you have all the mandatory kit
  • Read the Event Rules and Terms and Conditions
  • Train appropriately for your race
  • Check timings and pre race information close to event weekend
  • Have fun on your race
  • Enjoy the post race social

Start Lists

Start Lists

Coming soon…