OFFBEAT

Photos: Competitors get down and dirty at Britain's bog snorkeling championships

Annual event sees competitors race in water-filled trench cut through a peat bog

Last updated: August 28, 2023 | 14:20

Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from AP

2 MIN READ

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London: Intrepid athletes donned snorkels and slithered through slime on Sunday during one of Britain’s quirkiest sporting events: the World Bog Snorkeling Championships.

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The annual competition in the tiny town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, sees competitors race to complete two lengths of a 60-yard (55 meter) water-filled trench cut through a peat bog.

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They can use flippers on their feet, but conventional swimming strokes are banned.

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A competitor dressed as Alice from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"

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Some contestants accessorized their snorkels, masks and flippers with more flamboyant touches -- one carried a giant plastic toad on their head, another had a bathing cap adorned with flowers.

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Spectators also got in on the fun, with two wearing pink cardboard boxes proclaiming them to be limited edition bog-snorkeling Barbie and Ken.

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Competitor Louise Palmer dressed as Barbie.

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Competitors at the 35th annual contest were hoping to beat the time of current world record-holder Neil Rutter, who won in 1 minute, 18 seconds in 2018.

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A competitor reacts while taking part in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships held at the Waen Rhydd peat bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, on August 27, 2023.

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A competitor takes part in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships held at the Waen Rhydd peat bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, on August 27, 2023.

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A competitor reacts upon entering the water to take part in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships held at the Waen Rhydd peat bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, on August 27, 2023.

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A competitor takes part in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships held at the Waen Rhydd peat bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, on August 27, 2023.

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