For strong swimmers, the first leg of a triathlon is unfairly short. For triathletes without a swimming background though, it can be the toughest, most daunting part of the event. If you fall into the later camp – or if you just want to log your swim hours to raise money for cancer research – you might consider taking part in the Aqua Sphere Swim Challenge.

Running from April to November 2010, the Swim Challenge sets men up against women to see who can clock the most hours in the pool, regardless of laps swum.

As most triathletes should know, the key to swimming faster is to spend time honing your technique, not necessarily accumulating yardage. The Swim Challenge gives you the chance to do this while raising money either for Prostrate Cancer Foundation (men) or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (women).

Top triathlete and coach Richard Allen (www.richardallenfitness.com) is taking part: “The Swim Challenge is great because it encourages people to get in the water and keep fit whilst raising money for the cancer fight. Something that is very close to my heart,” he says. “By not counting laps and instead adding up your time it doesn’t matter how good you are, it matters what effort you put in and that’s more important. I will personally be logging my time in the water for this great cause.”

Currently, the women are out in front.

To sign up or find out more, see www.swimchallenge.org

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