24hr Swim Relay Ellerton Park

The gathering at Ellerton Park begins long before the first swimmer enters the water. By 8:00 AM, the site is a hive of activity as teams arrive to secure their pitch, carefully measuring tent footprints against the strict space requirements that define this collective endeavor. Managed by Level Water, the event relies on a precise rhythm: a 400-metre loop where every hour marks a handover at the marquee, with the team wristband acting as the sole physical token of continuity. Participation requires a disciplined approach, as the logistics of a 24-hour relay demand that every participant understands the mechanics of the course, the necessity of tow floats, and the strict lighting protocol required for the night-time stints.

The landscape and history

Beyond the buoyed loop, the North Yorkshire terrain carries marks of long-standing human presence. The region’s landscape is defined by the stone ruins of Richmond Castle, whose silhouette remains a constant reference point for those traversing the local river valleys. This area also retains remnants of 20th-century history, notably where Italian prisoners of war were once tasked with rebuilding the infrastructure at the Catterick railway station in 1943. While you swim, the view from the water extends toward the rural architecture, such as the 13th-century octagonal steeple of St Michael’s Church in Hudswell, which stands as a silent observer over the Swale valley.

Night swimming and safety

As the sun sets, the environment shifts. The darkness at Ellerton Park is intentional, maintained by the organizers to emphasize the nature of the night-time challenge, though the course remains clearly defined by lit buoys and water-based safety teams. Swimmers must prepare for the drop in air and water temperature, with mandatory white lights on goggles and colored lights on tow floats to ensure visibility to the safety crew. This relay is an exercise in mutual responsibility; teammates are tasked with monitoring one another for signs of cold, such as slurred speech or confusion, ensuring that the 24-hour cycle concludes safely at midday Sunday. Adherence to these protocols is not merely a formality but the mechanism that allows the event to function within the park’s ecological and safety constraints.