Swimmers, runners, rowers and paddlers race round Jersey

Saturday 31 August 2019

If you’ve always thought of Jersey as a relatively small place, spare a thought for the more than 200 competitors currently experiencing the 40-odd miles round the island from a different perspective.

Whether swimming, running, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, or rowing, they are all taking up the Jersey Round Island Challenge to raise funds for the Grace Crocker Family Foundation.

And whatever their discipline, the competitors - who come from the UK, France and Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands, of course – will have the inspiring words of extreme endurance athlete Stuart Croxford ringing in their ears as they take on the roads and waters round the island.

Pictured: Those travelling on the water begin and end their marathons at Ouaisne.

Stuart, an ex-serviceman wounded in Afghanistan in 2012, gave the motivational speech to those about to set off on this year’s challenge.  Always a keen sportsman and cyclist himself, he qualified as a BASI Ski Instructor four months after having his right leg amputated below the knee and has since taken on sporting challenges across the world that few would contemplate. 

Swimmers and runners set-off early this morning [Saturday] and return to Long Beach at Grouville covering 45 and 48 miles respectively, while those travelling on the water begin and end their marathons at Ouaisne. 

For those more inclined to offer moral support to others than expend energy themselves, the swimmers are expected back at Grouville between 17:30 and 19:00 and the runners between 14:00 and 21:00, while those setting off from Ouaisne, benefitting from a slightly shorter course, are scheduled back between 11.30 and 14:30.

Video: Last year's race in action.

This year’s challenge has an added element for stand-up paddle boarders. The event has been selected to be a part of the Global Paddle League, allowing paddlers to earn points for the International Paddle League table that celebrates and supports the longest and most challenging SUP races around the world, in locations such as USA, Japan and France.

This global recognition has attracted interest from Gill Marine who have agreed to partner with the Jersey Round Island Challenge. Gill Marine are also the new sponsors for the highly competitive on water paddle disciplines, including Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing and Rowing. 

Dickinson Gleeson, a sponsor of the inaugural event, agreed to become sponsor of the popular swimming discipline which sees participants battle one of the widest tidal ranges in the world, something that has attracted the attention of Red Bull UK who listed the event as one of the top fitness challenges in the British Isles.  

Pictured: This year's challenge has an added element for SUP fans.

Craig Swart, partner at Dickinson Gleeson, who has taken part in the event from its inception, commented: “This challenge is unique in that it gives the opportunity to all, no matter your ability to achieve your goals either as part of a team or as an individual.  It’s a superbly organized event that is a must for all those who like to push themselves to the limit.”

For all those taking part, the ultimate objective is to help raise awareness and valuable funds for the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation, a local charity that supports families in Jersey with sick children needing treatment in the UK. To date, participants in the challenge have helped raise more than £45,000.