Love SwimRun Holy Island, Anglesey, North Wales, UK

Unfortunately we are unable to run Love SwimRun Holy Island in 2023 due to a number of issues we have come up against that will compromise the integrity of the course, the logistics of running the event and the safety of our participants. These are not compromises we are prepared to make! Love SwimRun Holy Island will hopefully be back in 2024! 

Find 2019 results HERE.
Find 2018 results HERE.
Find 2017 results HERE.

The Course

Love SwimRun Holy Island will take place on the west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, North Wales. The route will take in some of Angleseys’s most stunning scenery on mainly off road terrain, including Southstack Lighthouse and the RSPB reserve, beautiful cliff top runs with views of the mountains of Snowdonia, hidden beaches, rocky swims and a tough final climb up to the finish line – the toughest part will be passing a tempting pub and not stopping, but you can always head there after claiming your medal!

The Full route is 23k in total and we will also have a Sprint version of the route which is 13.5km in total (This has been altered from 2021 so that all participants finish the course in the same way at similar times). The course will be fully marked and marshalled.

• location: Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, North Wales.
• Total course distances:
• FULL: Start at South Stack: Approximately 23km (3km of swimming and 20km of running) (Longest run:  5.75km, Longest Swim: 780m)
• SPRINT: Start at Trearddur: Approximately 13.5km (1.7km of swimming and 11.9km of running) (Longest run:  5.75km, Longest Swim:510m)
• Transitions: Full: 7 runs, 6 swims / Sprint: 5 runs, 4 swims
• Elevation gain: Full: 518m / Sprint: 300m
• Cut off for Full: 2.5 hours to finish swim 4 (8.75km running & 2km swimming)
• Aid stations: 2  (you are advised to carry water and a gel/bar)
• Splits for Full as follows:
  Run 5.75km
  Swim 710m
  Run 1.41km
  Swim 780m
  Run 1.14km
  Swim 510m
  Run 500m
  Swim 370m
  Run 5.21km
  Swim 370m
  Run 2km
  Swim 500m
  Run 3.75km

• NEW Splits for Sprint as follows:
  Run 500m
  Swim 510m
  Run 500m
  Swim 370m
  Run 5.21km
  Swim 370m
  Run  2km
  Swim 500m
  Run 3.75km

Entries

Entries will be limited to 200 places across both distances. Teams of 2 and solo entries are welcome.

• Online entry opens: TBC
• Online entry closes: 5pm on TBC.

You must be over 18 years of age on the day of the race to enter the event.

Entry prices

• FULL: Team of 2: £230 / Solo: £115
• SPRINT: Team of 2: £170 / Solo: £85

Entry fee includes: 

• Event bib (to be returned – lost or damaged bibs will be charged for)
• Event swim hat (re-use one of our orange hats to save waste and we’ll donate the cost to The Marine Conservation society – see note below*)
• Race timing
• Fuel and hydration during race
• Post-event refreshments
• Race souvenir
• Event photography
• Prize for winners in each category

* We all have loads of swim caps from events, do you really need another?! If you bring an orange Love SwimRun hat from a previous event with you to reuse instead of taking a new hat we will donate the cost of the new hat to The Marine Conservation Society! Of course, you are welcome to have a cap if you want it!

Equipment

Mandatory equipment for team and solo participants

There will be a mandatory equipment check at registration.

• 1 wetsuit per participant suitable for water temperature of 12-14 degrees Celsius
• 1 pair goggles per participant
• 1 pair off road trainers per participant
• 1 whistle per participant
• Hydration system, soft bottle or cup

This event will be plastic cup free in a bid to reduce waste and help care for the environment. Water will of course be available at feed stations and the finish line but you will need to carry your own bottle or cup. We recommend using a soft silicone cup or similar which can be easily stashed inside your wetsuit or a soft bottle.

Additional mandatory equipment for solo competitors only

• 1 swimming specific tow float

Mandatory equipment that Love SwimRun will supply

• Race bibs – must be worn at all times during the race and must not be modified
• Swim caps – must be worn during all the swims

Strongly recommended equipment

• Emergency food
• Mobile phone in waterproof case

Weather & water temperature

Going on average water temperatures for September over the last few years, we expect the water temperature in the sea to be around 15-16°C for our Love SwimRun Holy Island event. We will keep you updated on the water temperature in the run up to the event. 

Please note that the weather on the North Wales coast can be very variable. We have our fingers crossed for a perfect, calm and sunny day but in the event of high winds and rough seas in this area we may be required to shorten or even remove some of the swim sections from the course for your safety. This will be entirely dictated by our professional water safely crew.

Registration

Photographic ID will now be required at registration. Registration and kit inspections take place on the evening of TBC from 6pm to 7pm and TBC at from 7.15am to 8.45am at Rhoscolyn church hall, Holy Island, Anglesey, UK. Please arrive as early as possible and ensure you have your mandatory equipment and ID with you – your kit will be checked! Teams will be issued with their race bibs and hats during registration. Both team members must be present to sign the register. Registration closes at 08.45am.

Route and safety briefing

The briefing will be held at at Rhoscolyn village hall, Rhoscolyn, Holy Island, Anglesey. Persons who have not attended the briefing will not be allowed to start the race. Straight after the briefing you will board buses to the start of the route.