Dart10k 2024: Event Report, Results & Photos
I just spoke to a lovely lady that volunteered at the Dart10k on both Saturday and Sunday. She told me there was a word not usually in her vocabulary that she used over and over to describe the weekend. Vibes. “I must stop saying it but there was such a good vibe at the start in Totnes at the registration desk. Then the vibe at the Greenway finish village was just glorious. So many good VIBES”.
In Totnes we could feel the anticipation as swimmers vaselined themselves into their wetsuits, excited but nervous about the journey ahead. Their trepidation enhanced by the drummers playing as they walked the short distance from the briefing field to the slipway to enter the river Dart. Spectators lined the river bank taking photos, videos and cheering on their loved ones as they set of for their 10km swim-venture.
Both sides of the river were so peaceful and full of wildlife - seals, swans with their signets and cormorants can all be seen lining the river’s banks. That’s what makes this swim so special. There are no roads, no people, no traffic and only nature either side as the tide pushes you to the finish line. The hustle and bustle of the feeding stations are a stark contrast to the rest of the swim, buzzing with activity as swimmers get passed water, bananas, flapjacks and sweets.
10 kilometres after they first entered the water, swimmers climbed out of the river at Greenway and made their way along the pontoon. Some were unstable on their feet but with the help of volunteers and the water safety crew they made it safely onto the beach and emerged victorious through the gap in the trees. A heated tent with blankets and chairs was waiting for those who needed to warm up once they came through the finish funnel.
You could feel the exhilaration and triumph in every swimmer as they emerged to encouragement from the crowd, climbing the hill back to the event village, picking up a hot chocolate along the way. The courtyard was a hub of activity, with caterers offering food, drinks and coffee, Colette greeting all the hard working fundraisers in her colourful palace alongside t-shirts and sweatshirts being collected to help those memories stay forever.
The Dart10k 2024 raised £254,000 for children with disabilities. Funds thats are vital to over a thousand children across the UK who swim with Level Water. These are children that wouldn’t have access to this life-saving skill that supports strength, flexibility and confidence each and every week.
Thank you to everyone who swam and was part of this magical weekend. Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work. Thank you to our brand partners, Finisterre, SwimTrek, Deakin & Blue, River Dart Hideaway, Outdoor Swimmer and the Outdoor Swimming Society. Thank you to the National Trust for your amazing support, Rose from the Galmpton Residents Association, our amazing water safety team and the medical crew and the wonderful caterers. Thank you.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year.
