Training very much on for Lough Gill swimmers

THE Lough Gill Swim, which is taking place on August 12th, was launched last Tuesday evening in sunny Doorly Park.

This annual swim event was set up in memory of Neil McGarry and is arguably the biggest charity swim in the country. To date € 120,000 has been raised for the Northwest Hospice, which is vital in helping the organisation every year.

Registration is now open for the 10km Marathon swim, the one mile skins ( no wetsuit) and relay events.

The 10km race will start from Parkes Castle and finishing at the back avenue in Doorly Park. This year the swimmers and kayakers taking on the 10km challenge will be transported to the start at Parkes Castle via the Rose of Innisfree ferry.

This will give the swimmers a chance to take in the full vista of the lake before they set off. This gruelling swim is a real test of swimmers’ abilities - mentally and physically with the average swimmer taking 3.5 hours to complete the course.

Organisers wish to thank all sponsors and especially the team at Hazelwood House for their generous support of the swim.

For more information and entry visit their website on www. loughgillswim. com .

Saturday, August 12th.

Declan Martin, last year’s winner of the Lough Gill swim, who won two- in- a- row.