A BRADFORD woman and her swim team smashed a longstanding world record in Windermere, after swimming for 77 hours and 39 minutes.
Claire Poole, 45, from Wyke, was one of four women who took on the mighty challenge to break the record for the longest freshwater four-person relay, 11 years after the initial record was set.
Samantha Farrow, Tracy Mistry, Claire Poole and Caroline Saxon from SwimYourSwim in Doncaster swam 219.7km, equating to 13 laps of lake Windermere, the longest lake in England, beating the record by 17km.
Claire said: “We were absolutely exhausted by the end of it.
“We were swimming for two hours and then recovering for six hours.
“We had one hot meal day and we’re all sore and struggling to walk.
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“It’s still not hit home yet, it’s only been a few days, but the pain is taking over.
“It’s a feeling of pure elation.”
The group were supported by the women who set the previous record including two sisters from Bradford.
“The original record holders massively encouraged us and supported us the whole way through.
“They kayaked alongside us and offered words of wisdom.”
Over the years many people have attempted to beat the record but it all came down to this group of women.
“Never in my life did I think I would do something like this.”
They started the swim at 6am on Thursday morning and broke the record on Sunday afternoon.
“The hardest parts were the night swims; the water temperature was four degrees and it was really cold.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the crew, they helped us the whole way through.
“They brought us food, and fresh clothes.
Leon Fryer, who planned the attempt and pulled the four rotating boat crews and two land crews together, and Kevin Cronshaw spent 66 hours on the boat, whilst the group swam.
“It was a massive effort, and it came at a bad time as we had injuries before, but we did it.”
The record is unratified at this stage, but the paperwork is being completed.
“We beat the record by a long record so there’s no doubt we’ve done it but we just need to get all the information sent through.
“It was a surreal experience and we had an incredible time.”
The original record-holding team included Bradford sisters Dee and Liane Llewellyn, Keith Bartolo, Malta, Michelle Sharples, Manchester, Thomas Noblett, Windermere and Michelle Lefton, Windermere.
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