A form of open water swimming known as marathon swimming is characterised by long distances (at least 10 kilometres (6.21 mi)).
And customary guidelines derived from English Channel swimming. Marathon swims can range in length, unlike marathon foot events, which have a set distance.
However, a typical minimum definition is 10 kilometres (6.21 miles), which is the length of the Olympic marathon swimming event.
Finish times are greatly influenced by tides, surface currents, and wind chop, as they are in all open water swimming.
These variables can change significantly for a given course from day to day.
Rendering any attempt to assess athletic prowess by comparing finish times from performances carried out on various days worthless.
How Long Does A Marathon & Ultra Marathon Take to Complete?
Running and swimming marathons and ultramarathons are classified not only by their distance, but also by how long it will (approximately) take to accomplish them.
In addition to being 6.2 miles (10K) long, swimming marathons must also be finished in 2 to 6 hours.
The precise time required may vary depending on the swimmer’s level of athleticism, training, and distance covered (as well as nutrition).
Longer than six hours is considered an ultra-marathon swim (again, specific times will vary and rely on one’s swimming ability, athleticism, and training).
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to extend the distance for marathon swimming.
Which had previously been commonly regarded to be 6.2 miles (10K), with anything over that being considered ultra-marathon swimming.
Marathon Swimmers’ Outrage at Distance Change
The International Olympic Committee has announced a modification to the marathon swimming distance (IOC).
Since Beijing 2008, the marathon swim has consistently been a part of the Olympic Games.
Marathon swims on the Serpentine in London and Copacabana Beach in Rio have both served as unforgettable, iconic highlights of the 10k open water event.
The IOC announced today that the distance for the Marathon Swim will be raised from 10k to 42.195k starting in 2024. (26.2 miles).
The change aims to equalise the distance between the swimming and running marathons.
The top swimmers will take longer to accomplish the challenge, from about 2 hours to over 8 hours due to the increased distance.
Conclusion
What is the definition of a marathon swim? A marathon run is 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), but what is a marathon swim?
A marathon swim has several different definitions and interpretations in the world of open water swimming, mostly depending on the race course in issue.
But as the sport develops and establishes new metrics, types of rules, and uniformity, it’s possible that the community will come together around one definition—or not.
