500K World Record Attempt Underway

220 open water swimmers set off at 6:00 pm local time towards their goal of setting a open water swimming relay world record. With a goal of swimming at least 500K (310 miles) in Camlough Lake in Newry in Northern Ireland, the attempt has the existing open water swimming relay record of 480 kilometers (298 miles) in its sights.

The Guinness World Record Relay Open Water Swim attempt is being held in a GPS-certified loop course of 750 meters with only one swimmer and a support kayak in the water at one time and will continue non-stop for 24 hours per day with an estimated time duration of 9-10 days depending on the weather conditions.

Overseen by John Feehan, Lord Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council, and Billy Wallace, President of Irish Long Distance Swimming Association, swimmers between the ages of 13 and 63 are taking part with local businesses supporting the huge logistic operation behind this world record attempt in the category of Swimming in Relay, Open Water - Greatest Distance.

Upper photo shows all 220 swimmers taking part. Lower photo shows English Channel swimmer Peter Legg, Aoife Mc Court, Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, who swam the first two laps, John Feehan, Mayor of Newry City, and Padraig Mallon, event organizer.