Park set to host first Great Scottish Swim

Jun 10 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

STRATHCLYDE Country Park is set to host the inaugural Great Scottish Swim this summer, attracting some of the world’s best swimmers.

At a recent North Lanarkshire Council regeneration committee meeting, it was announced that the joint bid from the council and Event Scotland had been successful.

The event is part of a series of great mass participation sports events which originated some years ago with the Great North Run.

Event Scotland was originally sounded out to advise on potential venues to stage a swim similar to the first Great North Swim held on Lake Windermere last summer.

The event will be a one-mile open water swim suitable for everyone – whether you have only ever taken a dip in your local pool or are a keen club swimmer.

But some of the world’s best swimmers including Cassie Patten will also be taking part. The 22-year-old won bronze in the 10k open water swim at last summer’s Beijing Olympics.

She said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the Great North Swim last year and was delighted to beat my friend and rival Kerri Anne Payne to first place.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Scotland to compete and I’m sure I will again face top-class opposition.”

Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, said: “The Great Scottish Swim is the first event of its kind for Scotland, and one which allows first-time competitors to test their abilities against a world-class field, including Cassie Patten.”

The hosting of the event, to be held on Saturday August 29, is another coup for the park, which has a tradition of attracting major sporting events.

Councillor Paul Kelly, who is a member of North Lanarkshire Council’s Regeneration Committee, said: “I was delighted the joint bid was successful.

“Not only does this bring another top-class sporting event to Strathclyde Park,but the event fits in well with the programme leading up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Triathlon Event being staged at the park.”

He added: “Such events underline the top class sporting facilities at our park and will have great socio-economic impact and benefits to our area.

“I also hope both young and old will enjoy and maybe even take part in what is sure to be memorable event.”

Swimmers will be set off in waves of approximately 200. The event will be televised for broadcast on Channel 4.

To sign up for the event or for more information, log on to www.greatswim.org.