FAQs

Please enter via Let’s Do This when entries open.

Yes, the following age restrictions apply for the Swim Serpentine distances: 

Half mile: 12 years and above on Event Day 

One mile: 16 years and above on Event Day  

Two miles: 16 years and above on Event Day 

Super Six: 18 years and above on Event Day 

No, you must take part in the wave you chose when you entered Swim Serpentine.  

No, we do not offer a deferral, transfer or refund option for your entry. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.

It's important we have up-to-date details for you. You can update your details via your participant dashboard, which you can access via your entry confirmation email from Let's Do This. If you cannot find this, please contact us with your full name, booking ID and the email address you registered with, and we’ll be in touch. 
 
 

Your family are welcome to travel with you to the start of the event, but they will not be able to access the secure participant area with you, unless they are also taking part in the event. Your supporters will be able to view the event from the edge of the Serpentine Lake, and there’s also a Festival Area for your family and friends to enjoy, with food and drink concessions, picnic tables, toilets and water bottle refill points. 

No, family and friends will not be able to track you at Swim Serpentine, but they can head to the Results page to view swimmer times. On the day, anyone who accompanies you to the event will be able to watch you start and finish and can gain great vantage points all the way around the Serpentine. 

There are no road closures in place for Swim Serpentine, but please note that public parking will not be available in Triangle Car Park. 

Yes, we welcome participants with disabilities at Swim Serpentine. Please specify, when prompted during the online application process, that you will need support from our team at the event.  

 You can set up a free online fundraising page with Enthuse – the official online fundraising partner of London Marathon Events. 

Yes, head to the Training page to find out more. 

You may update your choice until six weeks before the event via your entry confirmation email from Let's Do This or via your participant dashboard. After this date, changes will not be possible. If you cannot log in to your dashboard, please contact us with your full name, booking ID and the email address you registered with, and we’ll be in touch. 

No, hospitality tickets are not available to purchase for Swim Serpentine. 

We work closely with the Metropolitan Police and other organisations and have a range of measures in place to ensure your safety and security. These include our highly trained security personnel, random bag searches and sniffer dogs, as well as other measures that may not be visible, to keep you safe. 

Head to our Volunteer page to find out more about volunteering at Swim Serpentine.  

No, entries cannot be transferred to someone else. Please see our terms and conditions for more details. 
 
 

If you are visually impaired, or your disability or medical condition means you need additional support at Swim Serpentine, contact us outlining your request and the reasons for it and we will get back to you. 

Yes, your replacement pack can be picked up by a nominated person. Your nominated person needs to bring a copy/screenshot of your ID, your written consent and their own ID. 

A number of different start waves will set off at regular intervals during the day. The first wave starts at 08:15 and the final wave of the day sets off at 16:50. 

We try to allow all swimmers to finish their swim, where possible. However, our water safety team do have the authority to pull people out of the water if the swimmer appears to be struggling. The only strict cut-off time is at the end of the day because we must finish the event by an agreed time. Participants in the final wave of the day must be able to complete two miles in under 1 hour 30 minutes, and must have completed their first mile lap by 17:35. 

Swim Serpentine is a really accessible event; spectators are able to watch their swimmers both start and finish the event and can gain great vantage points all the way around the Serpentine.  

Please contact us with your request and we'll come back to you. 

No, you do not have to wear a wetsuit, but if you do not wear a wetsuit you will be required to wear a tow-float.

No, you will be required to wear a tow-float if you wear a tri suit. It is the buoyancy from the neoprene in wetsuits that is important – a tri suit is just a long swimming costume. As we will have around 6,000 swimmers taking part in the event, our priority is to get everyone out of the water safely. If a swimmer has a serious medical issue in the water, then the buoyancy provided by the wetsuit or tow-float should allow time for us to locate the swimmer and get them out the water.

Fancy dress is only allowed if it does not inhibit your swim stroke or the swimmers around you. Safety comes first and the water safety team's decision will be final on whether a fancy dress or different costume is permitted. 

No, personal audio devices such as MP3 players are not permitted during the swim because our water safety team may need to communicate with you. 

Yes! Any swimmers who complete either the two-mile distance or the Super Six will have completed the Swim Serpentine element of the London Classics. Apply for your medal now.

 No, there are no prizes on offer at Swim Serpentine – the focus is on having fun and not racing! 

 Please contact us to let us know more about the support you need to take part in Swim Serpentine. 

Yes, our experienced team will be happy to help you getting into and out of the water, but please contact us in advance to tell us a bit more about the support you need.  

Please head to the Results page and complete the results correction form to notify us of any changes you require. 

You can view your event photos by heading to the Results page, finding your result, then clicking on the Sportograf button – or by visiting sportograf.com  

Please fill out our lost property form and we’ll get back to you once we have received the lost items for the event site. 

You can download your finisher’s certificate by heading to the Results page, finding your result, then clicking on the certificate button. 

Your photos will be sent to you by Sportograf, our Official Photography Supplier. Head to Sportograf to find out more. 

A formal complaint can be logged via email with the subject line 'formal complaint regarding Swim Serpentine' or via the contact us form, choosing the ‘feedback’ option. 

As part of our sustainability goals, for all London Marathon Events in 2025 and going forward, you’ll need to opt in to receive a medal at most of our events as part of the online entry system. If you choose not to receive a medal, you’ll have the chance to take a unique Finish Line photo using one of our selfie frames. These bespoke selfie frames are reserved for finishers who have chosen not to receive a medal.  

All of our medals are made from recycled zinc alloy. The process, called zinc die-casting, is a more energy efficient manufacturing process compared to other metal die-casting processes, such as aluminium. We order medals in bulk to reduce freight movements (they are shipped by sea). Any leftover medals are recycled within the UK and the ribbons are recycled too.  

If you live in the UK, your Event Pack will be posted to you from 29 August 2025, so please check your contact details are accurate and up to date.

  

If you have not received your pack by Tuesday 16 September, please fill out the Replacement Event Pack form, which will be available on the contact us page from 16 September, and we’ll organise a replacement pack for you, which you'll need to collect on Saturday 20 September from the event Information Point at Swim Serpentine. 

If you don’t live in the UK, you will need to collect your Event Pack on Saturday 20 September from the Information Point at Swim Serpentine. 

Yes, there is a bag-drop facility at Swim Serpentine.

Yes, there is a Sensory Calm Space, for anyone who wants to take a moment away from the crowds, a Parent and Child Space, and a Multi Faith Prayer Space that is open to all. There will be located in the Festival Area at Swim Serpentine. 

Entries for next year’s Swim Serpentine will open later in 2025.  

Yes, all participants will be emailed an official Participant Guide several weeks before the event. Your Participant Guide will include all the information you need to know before, during and after your event.