Thousand of Swimmers took part in the Great East Swim 2016 at Alton Water.
The Great East Swim 2016 was a magnificent open water swimming event held at Alton Water on the outskirts of Ipswich on June 18th 2016. Around 2,000 swimmers of mixed abilities donned wetsuits, goggles and swim hats to take part in a variety of open water swimming races.
Participants ranged from beginners to elite athletes, including a Team GB member competing at the Rio Games this summer. Many swimmers raised money for their chosen charities and competed in a large number of races over different distances. The races ranged from an introductory half mile to a marathon 10k swim. A group of 40 very young junior swimmers also took part in an exciting 250 mtr challenge.
The elite athletes race, which was held over a 5k three lap course, was used as a selection race by British Swimming for the European Championship team. Jack Burnell, the 2016 Swimming world silver medallist was first over the line in the elite mens event. Danielle Huskisson was the first over the line in the elite Womens event.
I was commissioned by the event organisers ( The great Run Company) as the official photographer for the event and was kept busy all day capturing the hectic mass starts and the emotional and uplifting finishes.
Despite pretty rotten weather at times, the event was a brilliant success both in the water and at the venue. Swimmers and spectators were entertained by stage performers featuring Suffolk choirs, musical theatre companies, dance groups and singers.
There was also a wonderful Farmers Market which offered a wide selection of Suffolk food and produce.
The Great East Swim takes place at the picturesque Alton Water reservoir near Ipswich, Suffolk. The reservoir provides the main source of drinking water for Ipswich and the southern part of Suffolk.
