THAMES MARATHON

There will be a bag drop facility in Marlow. We will tag your bag for identification purposes, and you will need to show your numbered hat to be able to collect your bag after your swim.

Absolutely, in fact we encourage it. The more people who swim together and look out for each other, the safer the event is. If you wish to swim with friends, please make sure that you all enter the same wave.

All swimmers will be required to use a tow float and are advised to get used to swimming with one before the event.

We have a fully approved safety plan that ensures coverage across the full course throughout the event. In addition ALL swimmers will be required to use a tow-float.

Swimmers that enter the 5.5km event have the choice of wearing a wetsuit, and will be asked on the registration form. We have a limited number of non-wetsuit places available for both the 9km and 13km distances. This is to minimise the risk and to adhere to our safety plan. Wetsuits are important for retaining heat and providing buoyancy. If you would like a non-wetsuit place in the 9km or 13km distance, you will be asked some questions during the registration process. You may be asked to supply more information to the organisers to qualify for a non-wetsuit place.

Non-wetsuit places sell out very quickly, we recommend applying as soon as registration opens.

There will be 3 feed stops for the full Thames Marathon and 2 for the Mid-Distance and Half Marathon.

The Thames Marathon will be setting off from Henley from 7.30am.  Strong swimmers who are seeking a faster time and who expect to complete the course in under 4 hours (approximately equivalent to a sub 27-minute mile pace) should select waves 7-10. If you expect your time to be under 3½ hours, please select wave 10, between 3½ and 4 hours select wave 7, 8 or 9. Other swimmers should select wave 1 – 6 – these are all mixed ability waves. If you wish to swim with a group, please ensure that you all select the same wave.

There will be a cut-off time of six and a half hours for the full marathon, 5 hours for the mid-distance marathon and three and a half hours for the half marathon, where all swimmers will need to be out of the river. Remember all swims are downstream. If you anticipate that you will take longer than this, please contact enquiries@henleyswim.com before entering.

There are toilets at Higginson Park. There are a couple of cafes and pubs near the walking route. Please note that once you have left Higginson Park on the coach, there will be no toilets at the start of either the full, 9km or half-marathon.

The route is walkable, by following The Thames Path. It is also possible to cycle the route, although there are a large number of kissing style gates where you may have to lift your bikes to get through and it may be difficult with tag-alongs.

Please note that there is still a diversion in place on the Thames Path, due to the footbridge at Temple Lock being closed. More details…

Supporters that start with their swimmer at Higginson Park can walk upstream as far as Temple Lock, and then walk back downstream alongside their swimmer. Alternatively they can stay at the event village or go into Marlow for a coffee, and wait for the swimmers to return.

Supporters can be dropped at the start of the full-distance in Henley by friends or family with their swimmer, and walk the full distance of the course. There is public parking available in Henley Town Centre near to the start of the swim, but spectators and swimmers would have to make their own way back to their cars after the swim.

Definitely, we have set up Henley Swim Chatter as a facebook forum, where you are able to discuss anything with fellow swimmers from nutrition and training tips to transport to the event on the day.