The Wild Wye SwimRun is a distinctive endurance event held around Chepstow and the scenic Wye Valley. It combines trail running with open-water swimming, offering a very different experience from a standard road race.
The course is roughly 13 km in total. It begins near Chepstow Castle, where runners head out on a trail run of about 6 km through woodland and countryside, including a long disused railway tunnel. Midway through the race, participants reach the River Wye, where they complete a short but memorable swim of around 100 metres across the river, usually timed with the tide for safety.
After the swim, the route continues with a longer and hillier trail run back on the Welsh side of the valley, finishing near Piercefield Park. The terrain can be uneven and challenging, adding to the event’s adventurous feel.
What makes the Wild Wye SwimRun particularly unique is its format. There are no transition zones, so competitors stay in the same gear throughout—running in swim kit and swimming in running shoes. Everything you need must be carried with you from start to finish, which adds an extra layer of strategy.
Safety is well managed, especially for the river crossing, which is overseen by rescue teams. For those not comfortable with the swim, there is usually an option to cross by boat instead, making the event more accessible while still keeping its distinctive character.
05 July 2026
