ÖTILLÖ Merit Race

Swimrun Gower

Full course

  • 20th June 2026
  • South Wales, UK
ENTER TODAY PAIRS | SOLO

41 km

Total Distance

35.3km / 8 runs

run Distance

5.7km / 7 swims

Swim Distance

14%

Swim Percentage

Quick Links

NEW FINISH LOCATION & START TIMES: We are excited to announce that our finish area will be at Oystermouth Castle. Showers can be taken at the Underhill Hub post race. The FULL START TIME is now 0730 hrs. See below for the full schedule.

The Gower Peninsula is one of the most beautiful coastal locations for a swimrun event. Our Full course swimrun route will have you exploring limestone cliffs, ancient woodlands, white sandy beaches and secret bays. Trail running on Gower’s spectacular and challenging coastal path and multiple ocean swims will make Swimrun Gower a true swimrun test and an unforgettable experience.

The Swimrun Gower Full course will again be an ÖTILLÖ Merit Race in 2026. There are only two races in the UK with Merit status – the other is Swimrun Coniston.

In all ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Merit Races, you collect points towards the Ã–TILLÖ Swimrun ranking system. Every year, ÖTILLÖ will select teams to ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship based on ranking in the end of the year.

Enter your ÖTILLÖ ID on our Entry Form to the Full course to get your World Championship ranking points.

Race Details

Race Details

Total race distance: 41km | Ascent: tbc m
8 x run sections | 7 x swim sections
Run total: 35.3km | Longest run: 8,600m
Swim total: 5.7km | Longest swim: 1,450m

Included in the entry

Included in the entry

The Gower Full course is raced in pairs or solo.

Full Course Solo Entry

  • Door Buster: £190 (full)
  • Early Bird: £215 (ends 31 Dec 2025)
  • Standard: £240 (ends 30 May 2026)
  • Last Minute: £265 (ends 17 Jun 2026)

Full Course Team Entry
(per team of two persons)

  • Door Buster: £360 (full)
  • Early Bird 1: £410 (ends 31 Dec 2025)
  • Standard: £460 (ends 30 May 2026)
  • Last Minute: £510 (ends 17 Jun 2026)

The entry fee includes the following:

  • Swim cap
  • Finisher’s medal
  • Race timing
  • Race nutrition and hydration
  • Free event photography
  • Coaches to the start
ENTER THE FULL RACE MARSHAL SIGN UP

Full Course Participation Notice: Minimum numbers required for the Full course. Please see our Terms & Conditions B8: Minimum numbers.

The Full Course

The Full Course

  • Estimated completion time: 5-9.5 hours
  • Terrain: Challenge coastal paths and trails
  • Swimming: Rocky beach entries and exits
  • Difficulty: Hard. You need a high level of fitness to complete this race.

Map – Full course

Start time 0730 hrs.
Distances and timings can be subject to change.

Start: Rhossili NT Car Park.
Start time: 0730 hrs.		Run (m)*Swim (m)*Cumulative (km)*Cut Offs
(entries)
Run 1 to Tears Point2,0302.1
Swim 1 to Mewslade8602.90805
Run 2 to Port Eynon Point8,60011.5
Swim 2 to Horton Beach85012.31010
Run 3 to Oxwich Point5,60017.9
Swim 3 to Oxwich Beach1,45019.41125
Run 4 to Great Tor2,44021.8
Swim 4 to Three Cliffs Bay850-1,25022.71305
Run 5 to Brandy Cove8,47031.1
Swim 5 to Caswell Bay70031.91515
Run 6 to Snaple Point2,10034.0
Swim 6 to Langland Bay55034.51600
Run 7 to Coastguard Station Point2,27036.7
Swim 7 to Bracelet Bay33037.11640
Run 8 to Finish: Oystermouth Castle2,81039.9

* Distances will vary. Generally, add 3% for runs and 1.5% for swims as we all don’t swim and run as straight as each other, particularly over longer distances. And tidal differences will mean some athletes will be swimming more than others.

The course will be fully marked. Swim transitions and checkpoints will be staffed by our incredible volunteers. We support local charities and groups for every volunteer that supports us on the event. You do not need a map on the route when competing, unless you wish to carry one. We do advise all athletes to be familiar with the route before competing.

Mandatory Kit

Mandatory Kit

All athletes must have the following:

  • Suitable footwear
  • A wetsuit suitable for temperatures of 10 degrees C
  • A whistle
  • A reusable cup or flask – any kind will be accepted as long as they are genuinely reusable.

Solo athletes MUST have the following:

  • 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), and teams may also use tow ropes. These items are not mandatory.

Nutrition / Aid Stations

Nutrition / Aid Stations

There are five checkpoints on the Gower Full course. The locations of these checkpoints are viewable on the course map above.

There will be a range of nutrition products at checkpoints, including isoactive electrolyte drinks and energy bars. The following event nutrition plan will be updated nearer to the event date.

Information about nutrition at each checkpoint to follow.

Logistics

Logistics

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

Expect changes to the following. We will provide all athletes with updates.

Pre event day

Online and at start locationSafety briefing – all athletes will be sent an email with all the event information for race day. Expect two emails in the lead up to the event weekend.
Friday 18:00-20:30Slot 1 for Full course athletes – registration, kit inspection and bag drop at Race HQ (Underhill Hub). Slot 2 (if you can’t make slot 1) will occur on Saturday morning (race day – see below). Attending one of these is compulsory. See below for what you need to bring to Registration.

SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2026 – Event Day

05.15 -05.50Registration, kit inspection and bag drop opens at Oystermouth Castle (Slot 2 – Full course athletes). Attendance at Slot 1 (see above) or Slot 2 registration is compulsory.
Promptly board coaches.
06.05Coach departs from the bus stop just outside Oystermouth Primary School to the start location.
07.00Coach arrives at Race Start. Toilets, water, athlete count and final briefing.
07.30Full course Race Start.
12.28First athletes expected at finish at Oystermouth Castle. Athletes expected to finish between 12.28 hrs and 16.57 hrs.
13.45(approx)* Presentations at Oystermouth Castle.

* Presentations for each category will occur 10 minutes after the third placed team crosses the finish line in that category.

Registration will take place either at the Underhill Hub (showers) or Oystermouth Castle (Finish Line) – see below. Two options to choose between (slot 1 or 3 below) – compulsory to attend one of these two.

Registration slots for Gower 2026:

  1. Registration Slot 1 (Friday) – between 18:00 and 20:30 at the place to have showers post race at Underhill Hub. Available for all athletes.
  2. Registration Slot 2 (optional slot for Full course athletes) – Saturday morning between 05:15 and 05:50 at Event Hub / Finish Line (Oystermouth Castle).
  3. Registration Slot 3 (optional slot for Gritty course athletes) – Saturday morning between 09:00 and 10:15 at Event Hub / Finish Line (Oystermouth Castle).
  4. Registration Slot 4 (optional slot for Sprint course athletes) – Saturday morning between 11:00 and 12:15 at Event Hub / Finish Line (Oystermouth Castle).

You will need to register (with your partner if in a team) and BRING YOUR MANDATORY KIT. If you do not bring these items with you, you will have to go and get them as you will not be allowed to register without them.

What every athlete must bring to registration:

  • Photo identification
  • Whistle
  • Reusable cup or flask – we will accept any type but it must be reasonably robust and last the whole race.
  • Wetsuit and trainers – clean and dry! Wetsuits suitable for 10 degrees. See our blog: What Gear I Need For A Swimrun.

What every SOLO athlete must bring in addition to the above:

  • Tow float. Solo athletes will not be able to participate without a tow float.

You will be issued with your race vests and swim caps during registration.

You must read through your race briefing prior to the event weekend to ensure you are aware of all vital information about the course and race logistics.

Athletes can leave a small (max 30L) bag at the registration venue before boarding the coaches on race day, or leave their bag in the Swimrun Gower van at race start. This bag will be taken to the finish line for you. Make sure you put a tag on your bag with your vest number clearly marked. Tags will be handed out. We recommend a change of clothes, shoes, money and a towel so that you can join us at he post-race social.

NOTE: There will be event staff at the finish area but bags will not be attended to at all times so you do leave them at your own risk.

The event is based in the Mumbles area. The nearest town is Mumbles, a short walk from Underhill Park, the event base and finish zone. Please do check for parking in the area before arrival.

Long Stay
478-480 Mumbles Rd, SA3 4BX
Closest car park to Oystermouth Castle.
https://w3w.co/devotion.sues.view

Langland Road
Langland Rd, Mumbles, SA3 4LX
Closest car park to the showers.
w3w.co/slimming.leathers.dragon  

Mumbles Road 1
490 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, SA3 4BX
5-minute walk to Oystermouth Castle.
https://w3w.co/pilots.tangible.suspends 

Mumbles Road 2
520 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, SA3 4BU
5-minute walk to Oystermouth Castle.
w3w.co/spun.imparting.sketching 

Southend CP
Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, SA3 4EE
15-minute walk to Oystermouth Castle.
https://w3w.co/trickles.arts.shack  

Knab Rock CP
Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, SA3 4EL
20-minute walk to Oystermouth Castle.
w3w.co/baseless.launched.accompany 

Athletes can board the complementary coaches that we have organised for you to get to the race start. The coaches are not mandatory; if you wish to get to the start under your own steam then that is fine, but please let us know.

NOTE: You will need to board the coaches changed and ready to race. There are no changing facilities at the race start.

Please be seated on the coach five minutes before the departure time to avoid missing the transfer. There are no alternative arrangements in place to take you to the race start if you miss the coach.

The race finishes on the grounds of Underhill Park. Race finishers will receive a medal and be able to collect their drop bags and change. You will be asked to hand back your bib. Your finisher’s t-shirt will be available for you at this point, unless you opted to plant a tree instead of a T.

There will be some energy bars, crisps, bananas, and water at the finish line for athletes. Other food is available for purchase in the Hub (to be confirmed).

Prize Giving will take place 15 minutes after the last podium-placed team has completed the event.

The race registration, briefing, race finish and race HQ are all based at Underhill Park. Late June is a busy time in the Mumbles area so accommodation will be in demand. We do advise you to book early to avoid disappointment.

Safety Measures

Safety Measures

It is important that all athletes appreciate that safety first begins with yourself, your team, and each other. Take care of each other – it is a long, tough course.

All athletes must help one another in an emergency, whether this is on the Full course, Gritty course or Sprint course, team or solo. Communicate with event staff when help is needed as early communication is important.

We have a robust safety plan in place, with expert water safety and medical teams on the course. We also have cut offs in place at swim entries and at checkpoints for further safety measures. The compulsory race briefing will go through all safety measures in more detail.

We use cut off times to make sure that everyone completes the race safely and before dark. Cut offs are also critical for our safety plan for the positions and movements of boats and the medical team. Consequently, cut off times will be strictly enforced. If you miss a cut off, even by one minute, and continue to race, you will be disqualified from this and all future events we operate.

Cut off times are enforced at swim entries and at checkpoints. Checkpoint cut off times are listed above in both the Route Card and Nutrition sections.

Our water safety plans are delivered by a professional organisation who specialise in the water safety of mass participation events across the UK and worldwide. Communicate with the teams if you need help or support at anytime in the water. Our safety briefing will go through what to do when in difficulty.

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.

Our medical and rescue plans are delivered by a professional organisation, based in the Lake District, who provide bespoke safety solutions for outdoor sports events.

Our medical teams 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.

Final Checklists

Final Checklists

  • Enter your race
  • Book accommodation
  • Check you have all the mandatory kit
  • Read the Event Rules and Terms and Conditions
  • Train appropriately for your race
  • Attend the compulsory Race Briefing
  • Have fun on your race
  • Enjoy the post race social

Starter Lists

Starter Lists

Coming soon…