News release: Thousands of swimmers set to take plunge for British Gas Great Salford Swim

News release Tuesday 21 September 2010 For immediate release Salford poised for a Great day Thousands of swimmers from across the UK will take part in the inaugural British Gas Great Salford Swim this weekend (26 September 2010). The one-mile open water swim is the final instalment in the British Gas Great Swim Series, with 20,000 swimmers having signed up to take part. The event, which is being staged at Salford Quays has attracted a bumper field of 2,000 swimmers, many of whom will be raising much-needed cash for good causes. One such swimmer is Britain’s 2004 Olympic medallist Steve Parry, aged 32, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2009. Steve, who won a bronze in the butterfly at Athens, received treatment and care by the Christie cancer charity and plans to raise funds to help the organisation build a new radiotherapy centre at Salford Royal. The outdoor water swim will also feature a real clash of the titans in the elite men’s race, with multiple world champion and Olympic medallist Thomas Lurz going head to head with world champion tri-athlete Alastair Brownlee. There’s no elite women’s race but Britain’s Olympic 10k bronze medallist Cassie Patten-winner of the British Gas Great London Swim in July-will be in Salford on the day as Great Swim Series ambassador and roving reporter. The men’s elite race will being proceedings on the day at 10am and will be followed by a series of waves for the main field, starting at 10.30am and continuing every hour until the final wave at 2.30pm. The unique point-to-point course starts at No 9 Dock near The Lowry, traverses Mariners Canal and finishes in Dock 8 beside the Watersports Centre. Leader of Salford City Council, Councillor John Merry, said: “This is a brand new swimming event and we are delighted to be hosting it here in Salford. It is another of our fantastic Events to Shout About! and promises to be a great day out for all the family, “Last year more than 50,000 people came along to our events bringing money to the city’s economy and helping to put Salford on the map. I’m delighted to see new additions to our events calendar every year giving people a variety of world-class attractions right on their doorstops.” Councillor Barry Warner, the council’s lead member for culture and sport added: “Salford has played host to a number of high profile events and is setting an example to other cities as a lead destination for sporting, musical and cultural events.” Spectators can enjoy free entry at a venue that is tailor-made for families. They will have a great view of what promises to be world class swimming action, from vantage points right around The Quays. There will also be lots of other things to see and do including charity and sponsors’ marquees. In between races spectators can also enjoy the fantastic attractions at The Quays including The Lowry Outlet Mall, Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry. British Gas brand director, Andrew Hogan said: “We at British Gas are extremely pleased that the inaugural British Gas Great Salford Swim has turned out to be so popular. Two thousand swimmers in this exciting dock-to-dock course will surely be a tremendous spectacle to see. “We hope all the swimmers and spectators enjoy the day.” -Ends- For more information or to attend the event contact: Caroline Holmes, Communications Executive Great Swim E: caroline.holmes@nova-international.com T: 07894 386688