Competitors try to swim two gruelling lengths of the bog Up to 200 plucky sportsmen and women are to brave the murky depths of two muddy trenches in Powys in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships.
The event’s chair is expecting a record time to be set because he joked that the bogs had been cleaned out for the first time in a decade.
He said old flippers and a snorkel were among the items found when they were cleared of silt and debris recently.
The event in Llanwrtyd Wells is on Sunday instead of Bank Holiday Monday.
The annual championships have put the small mid Wales town on the tourist map.
People have travelled from all over the UK to swim the gruelling two lengths, spanning 60 yards (55m), in the bog pits. The world record stands at 1min 35sec.
“I’m expecting record times to be set because the trenches have been dredged for the first time in 10 years”
Lindsay Ketteringham Event chairman
Championship rules state that entrants must not use conventional swimming strokes but instead must rely on using flippers.
Chairman Lindsay Ketteringham said: “I’m expecting record times to be set because the trenches have been dredged for the first time in 10 years.
“Silt and other debris was removed by two diggers, but they’re still pretty murky.
“We’ve changed the day of the event the year to a Sunday because people were concerned about rushing back to work when it was staged on a bank holiday.”
Hundreds of spectators are also expected to shout on the competitors as they take part in the eccentric sport.
Competitors pay to take part in a variety of categories which range from men and women to juniors and fancy dress.
Organiser Green Events Limited donates all funds raised to charity.
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