It may seem early to start thinking about it, but it is not. If you want to run a marathon in the spring, now is the time to buy your trainers and start running too. The Frýdek-Místek and Frýdlant nad Ostravicí cold-water swimming season ends on 30 March 2024, and the finale will include our second Cold-Water Duathlon: a race combining running and swimming.
Last year's event was a huge success. To make this one just as good, or better, we have decided on a few changes.
First, competitors will swim right across the river and touch the far bank, rather than going around a buoy. That calls for a little more tolerance of the cold than the first event did.
Everyone wishing to take part must complete a qualifying swim across the river and back. This can be done in one of the following ways:
- Arrange the swim in advance in Frýdek-Místek or Frýdlant nad Ostravicí and receive confirmation of completion.
- Provide a video clearly showing four minutes of swimming in icy water, stating the swimmer's name, location, date and water temperature.
- Alternatively, provide a statement from the leader of your own cold-water swimming group, provided we know each other personally.
The qualifying swim is valid if it takes place in water at 4°C or below, lasts at least four minutes and leaves the swimmer able to move comfortably into a run. It must be completed by 15 March 2024.
I recently wrote about the value of having a sporting goal, and here is one for you. To be able to cross the icy river, you do not need to do the full crossing every time. Think of a marathon again: training runs are not all 42 km long, yet you can still complete the race. That said, it is easier when you have already covered the distance in training. So feel free to swim halfway across and back, and every now and then work up to a more demanding effort.
I will happily join you for a qualifying swim if you would like the company.
The running section will also change to make it more interesting for spectators, but the total distance will be roughly the same.
Last, but certainly not least: registration will be in advance only, with a closing date before the race. You will not be able to enter on the day. That avoids last-minute decisions about whether somebody is ready to take part.
More information about the race will follow. For now, all you need to decide is: yes, I will give it a go and take part.
For a little inspiration, here are some photographs from the first event. There are more in the Zonerama album.
https://eu.zonerama.com/zemeck/163152
Photo gallery