3 minute read
This weekend we headed to Bergs Slussar in Sweden for one of the most epic swim events out there - Red Bull Neptune Steps. We've been involved with the event in Glasgow for the past 4 years and couldn't wait to get out and check out the Swedish edition!
Neptune Steps is a swim event like no other - it pushes swimmers to their limits by pitting them against a challenging swim up a canal with the added element of multiple climbs up the lock gates on the way to the finish line. The Glasgow event is famed for its bitterly cold water - another obstacle in itself. Seemingly to make up for the warmer weather and water in Bergs Slussar, Red Bull had chosen a course twice as long as the Glasgow swim - with 900m of canal to tackle, plus 11 lock gates which totalled 30m of climbing.
Red Bull events always have a real festival feel to them and Neptune Steps Sweden was no different - crowds of spectators lined the canal through the entire day, cheering the swimmers the whole way up the course. Even with torrential rain, nothing dampened their spirits!
Sweden is famed for it's swim/run events and there was plenty of impressive local swimmers up for the challenge of taking the win - as well as competitors from over 15 countries who had made the trip for this epic race. A familiar face was amongst them - Glaswegian swimmer Mark Deans, the reigning champion from both the previous Scottish and Swedish Neptune Steps. Eager to defend his crown, Mark looked like a strong favourite throughout the day's heats.
The finals were intense, fast races up the canal - first up in the women’s division it was a battle entire way through - with first place changing hands multiple times. Finally it was a local win - Swedish triathlete and dryrobe ambassador Annie Thoren clinched the closely-fought race.
The men's event started in the same manner - the swimmers blasted up the canal at lightning fast pace, with spectators running alongside the water to keep up! It looked like being another tight race, but at roughly the halfway point that man Mark Deans showed why he is the undefeated champion - taking a strong lead that he held onto the rest of the way to the finish line and continuing his reign as Neptune Steps champion.
The swimmers took to the podium to celebrate an epic days racing - and having claimed their coveted Neptune Steps dryrobe!
Men's Results:
1 - Mark Deans, UK, 12:59.2
2 - Anton Andersson, SE, 13:28.2
3 - Mike Thorén, SE, 13:35.3
Women's Results:
1 - Annie Thoren, SE, 15:25.4
2 - Jennifer Davis, UK, 15:30.5
3 - Caroline Palm, SE, 15:38.6
Neptune Steps is one of the most unique and epic events out there, just completing the swim is a huge achievement in itself. We are very proud to be a part of such an awesome event and we already can't wait for next year.