What do I need for my first swimrun?

You have signed up for swimrun race. Complete your equipment!

Swimrun becomig more and more popular! There are lots of races to sign up for! Team and solo, short, medium and long distances. Everyone will find suitable option. Personally I’m attracted by team options. You run and swim with your partner. During run sections you need to be not further than 100m apart and swim sections – 10 metres! Most swims you do using bungee rope to stay with your partner together.
As you run and swim with all your equipment and have to carry everything from start to finish, you need to be careful what to take with you. You always have list of compulsory equipment as whistle, foldable cup, bandage, number bib, swim hat. There is list of equipment you can use but need to keep it for whole race: hand paddles, floatation aid (in certain sizes), wetsuit (compulsory below some temperatures), bungee rope for teams.

Let’s take closer look at mandatory equipment:

• Number bib and swim hat. As long as they’re mandatory, they’re provided by organisers.
• Whistle to attract attention in case of emergency. You can get them online. Just remember, it needs to work in wet conditions!
• Shoes. You need to remember that you wear them from start to finish. I would say that is biggest challenge regarding equipment. Personally I’ve got Salomon amphib and I’m more than happy with them. But my swimrun partner can’t use them! They seem to low in toe box and he can’t run in them. There are some models dedicated to swimrun (vivobarefoot hydra, la sportiva bushido) as well as some trial shoes that can be used for training and races (innov8 xtalon, scott supertrac amphib etc). To start with you can use your shoes that you’re having now. Drill micro holes in soles and it should drain water fast enough for your run. I’m not big fan of it as it’s easy to get dirt, dust and anything else from ground (it’s trial run in most of cases) inside of your shoes. Remember! It doesn’t matter how happy other runner is with their shoes! You need to be sure that shoes suit you! Personally, I like some extra room in my toes box so, my shoes need to be wider there! In the swimrun you spend whole race in your equipment… it needs to fit and be comfortable! No excuses!
• Wetsuit! In warmer places, waters it is not mandatory. In my opinion it’s piece of equipment you need to have! Some use it as buoyancy aid. There are lots of options out there now. This season I’m going with SUMARPO Hyper PRO swimrun wetsuit. You can browse online and find one suits you. We affiliate with SUMARPO as they’re first to go 100% ECO and their price and choice range is great!
  If you would like to check SUMARPO wetsuits (swimrun and triathlon) use this link. You will support us in our race as well as we will be paid for referring you to their website and your purchase.
  Click this link: https://www.sumarpo.com/?sca_ref=5240721.LF0bGE6CbA and use discount code as little thank you: magicswim24
• Base layer! I haven’t seen anyone mention hat one. If you are not using wetsuit that your race gear, if you’re using wetsuit that’s something you need to consider as under wear/base layer. Previous race showed me that my tri-suit does that great! You can easy use it on its own or under your wetsuit. You can check singlets or two parts. If not using wetsuit then consider using neoprene shorts and tops or swim skins if you require some buoyancy aid!
• Waterproof packed pressure bandage/field dressing. Time to visit your local pharmacy or get them at any super store.
• Collapsible/soft cup that you will use at the water/aid stations. That’s great to see some tries to reduce wastage around aid stations. You can get silicone folding cups online. Small and fit well in your wetsuit packet or having clip to attach them to your race belt.

All races allow you to use additional equipment:

• Hand paddles. Giving you extra power and propulsion. Need to be carry from start to finish line. If you are strong swimmer they are great help and boost to your swim sections. If you’re beginner, train first, get used to paddles, check if you are comfortable to swim with them! That might be great help but they might drain your energy as well.
• Buoyancy aid as pull buoy. Remember that floatation devices must smaller than 100cm x 60cm. Double check race’s rules before your start day. As you must carry your equipment through whole race you need to consider attachments for it. You can buy ready equipment or make one yourself. I’ve got cheap pull buoy at local sport’s shop, some bungee strings and drilled holes and attached strings through… job done! Now float is at my leg during run sections and easy to put between legs for swim.

All the races organisers put extra care to keep all safe and clean. Littering is prohibited and lots of bins are always available on your way. If you use gels, bars or any other nutrition, carry your rubbish with you to the nearest bin. Believe me, it’s not a big deal… you were carrying it already…

Now, you need to get out for run and swim! Remember, most of the swimrun races are taking place in natural sites, woods, lakes, rivers… train smart and get ready for rough conditions. Trial runs, open water swims should be in your daily routine and training plans!

I hope to see you during some events!