Four pools in Cardiff take part in Swimathon 2026

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Fairwater, Western, Eastern and Maindy leisure centres in Cardiff are hosting fundraising challenges for Swimathon 2026.

Swimathon 2026 at Cardiff Leisure Centres

The world’s biggest fundraising swim - which began 40 years ago - happens over the weekend of 20-22 March and sees fundraisers’ proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, end of life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation.

Individuals can choose to swim a variety of distances - 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k and Triple 5k distances - with teams choosing 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k challenges.

GLL has been supporting Swimathon over the years in its ‘Better’ branded pools. Last year saw 1,054 challenges completed UK-wide in 68 pools raising £109k for charity.

GLL is the largest provider of public swimming in the UK (140 pools and 9 lidos) and the biggest provider of swimming lessons – teaching 200,000 people a week, including adult swimmers.

With over 1200 people registered to take part so far this year, Swimathon 2026 could be the biggest challenge of its kind in GLL pools.

"The world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK, and the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, as well as Swimathon Foundation will directly benefit from our fundraisers' efforts,” said Matt Simmons, GLL Transformation Manager in Cardiff. “A big thank you to everyone taking part and raising money for such good causes.”

Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew is celebrating 50 years since becoming an Olympian. He said: "Thanks to GLL and all our pool operator hosts for supporting their community swimmers young and old for Swimathon 2026.

"In our 40^th anniversary year, Swimathon promises to be bigger and better than ever and really exemplify the collective positive energy of the UK's swimming community and the benefits swimming brings."