Somewhere in there is Steve Gatfield.  On Friday 12th June 2015, Steve took part in the 5K Great North Swim in Lake Windermere, part of the Great Swim series.

Steve entered the event back in October 2014, following a couple of other applications not being successful in previous years. Since then Steve has been training daily in the local pool, swimming 2-3k each day and further training in the local lake near Cluster 15’s Bedford office at the weekends.

The event is attended by 10,000 swimmers across the weekend with the highlight being the elite swimmers from all over the world who race over 5k.

This year’s winners are Caleb Hughes GBR, finishing in 56 minutes for the men, and Christine Jennings USA for the ladies in 57 minutes.

Steve’s swim set off at midday on the Friday in two waves of about 400 swimmers in each, 2 hours apart. The start was a run which was quite physical with over 400 swimmers trying to jostle for an area to swim resulting in several kicks to the jaw.

Once out into the lake Steve found some space, and completed the 5k swim in 1 hour 21 mins, which placed him 93rd overall, but 10th in the 40-44 age category.

Steve had decided to try and raise some money whilst taking this challenge on for Cancer Research in memory of Colin Wilson, our Watford Plant Manager who sadly passed away in January following a short battle with Cancer.  “This has been by far the hardest challenge I’ve ever taken on and I’m glad I did not under-estimate it in my training and build-up. I’m chuffed to bits with my performance, but more importantly, I’m truly overwhelmed by the level of support I’ve received and the huge generosity of friends, family and colleagues who donated a massive £1,100 for Cancer Research.”