The Lido's first ever Autumn 5K Swim Challenge, with swimmers covering the distance in 25 x 200m intervals across three lanes, with all funds raised going to Portsmouth's Parenting Network.
Hilsea Lido is hosting its first-ever Autumn 5K Swim Challenge on Sunday 25 October, and it's a bit different from your usual open-water distance. Instead of one long slog, you cover the 5km in 25 intervals of 200 metres each, spread across three paced lanes. The interval format means you're not just swimming against the clock; you're swimming with other people at your own pace, which takes a bit of the edge off if you're not used to the distance.
The venue itself is the historic 67m open-air pool at Hilsea Lido, which has been recently renovated. These days it runs lane swimming, family sessions and coaching, with a sauna and recovery spaces on site for when you've finished. Beyond the pool there are social spaces, food and drink, and a regular calendar of events. Membership is available but not required—you can just turn up on a pay-per-swim basis, and admission to the Hilsea Jubilee Splash Pool is free.
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There's a charitable side to this one, too: every pound raised goes to Portsmouth's Parenting Network. So if you've been looking for a reason to get back in the water this autumn, this is a good one—you get the 5k distance, you do it in a way that lets you keep your own pace, and it supports a local cause. It all goes down at Hilsea Lido on Sunday 25 October.
