200 swimmers will take part in this epic and historic event.

Anyone familiar with the Wirral Peninsular and the iconic views of the Liverpool skyline will relate to the mystic allure of the mighty River Mersey. An ever changing mural of activity that has shaped this great city and surrounding areas for many centuries.

People can relate to the city and the river for many diverse reasons. For a select few however, the river itself has provoked a certain desire since the first recorded successful swim across the Mersey in 1863 and swimmers from every generation since have faced the same challenge against an ever changing tide of bureaucracy.

The first recorded ‘Across Mersey Swim’ was organised by John Hulley (The Forgotten Man of British Olympic History) as part of the Grand Liverpool Olympic Festival in 1863. The swim attracted nine swimmers, with thousands of spectators watching the swim from both sides of the river.

Only two managed to finish, had swum over five miles and were in the water for nearly two hours.

Discover more about John Hulley here →