Less than two weeks after the
Great North Swim opened for entries, the first day of the event is closed with a maximum of 2,500 swimmers - and the second day is quickly reaching its limit.
Lake Windermere was not always the venue for thousands of open water swimmers, but it has been a marathon swimming hotbed for decades nevertheless. Since 1956, our records indicate that the
British Long Distance Swimming Association has hosted numerous 25K International Championships in England's largest lake.
While modern-day open water heroes like
Olympic 10K Marathon Swim medalists
Maarten van der Weijden,
Thomas Lurz and
David Davies have recently frequented Lake Windermere, athletes like the following heroes swam up and down the lake in years past:
Elaine Gray won the 10.5-mile Windermere International Championships in 1966. A.D. van der Vieken won the 15.5-mile championship in 1970. Lotty van Teen won the 15.5-mile championship in 1974. And renowned swimmers like
Kevin Murphy,
Michael Read,
Penny Lee Dean (shown on left),
Sally Minty nee Minty-Gravett,
Julie Bradshaw,
Karen Burton nee Reeder,
Alison Streeter and
John York has honored the shores of Lake Windermere with their presence.
As one of the
World's Top Open Water Swims, the
Great North Swim plans to set off a total of 5,000 swimmers over a two-day period in waves of 250 people.
Colin Hill, the Event Director said, "
The Great North Swim’s success is down to its stunning location, world class elite field, overwhelming support from spectators and the enthusiasm of thousands of swimmers."
Throughout the decades, Lake Windermere has been a draw for international fields of marathon swimmers. Now, it is the site for open water swimmers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
A growing trend around the globe.
Like the list of swimming holes in America, the River & Lake Swimming Association has an extensive list of swimming places throughout the United Kingdom. Enjoy lidos and wild swimming in rivers, lakes and waterfalls. 
Less than two weeks after the Great North Swim opened for entries, the first day of the event is closed with a maximum of 2,500 swimmers - and the second day is quickly reaching its limit.
While modern-day open water heroes like Olympic 10K Marathon Swim medalists Maarten van der Weijden, Thomas Lurz and David Davies have recently frequented Lake Windermere, athletes like the following heroes swam up and down the lake in years past:
Elaine Gray won the 10.5-mile Windermere International Championships in 1966. A.D. van der Vieken won the 15.5-mile championship in 1970. Lotty van Teen won the 15.5-mile championship in 1974. And renowned swimmers like Kevin Murphy, Michael Read, Penny Lee Dean (shown on left), Sally Minty nee Minty-Gravett, Julie Bradshaw, Karen Burton nee Reeder, Alison Streeter and John York has honored the shores of Lake Windermere with their presence. 
With the close of the Beijing Olympics and sights on the 2012 London Olympics, eyes and thoughts are now turning to England. As a follow-up to the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim, the Great North Swim will be held on September 13, 2008 in Lake Windermere, the biggest lake in England.
In addition to the 3 Olympic medalists from the U.K., David Davies, Keri-Anne Payne and Cassandra Patten, other elite swimmers include Mark Foster, an 8-time world record holder, Alan Bircher, a 2004 World Championship silver medalist, and Joanne Jackson, the 400-meter freestyle bronze medalist.
