A near 200 competitors took the plunge at the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells on Sunday, 24 August, braving the muddy 120-yard challenge in one of the quirkiest sporting events in the world.

Neil Rutter, 41, from Bath, added a sixth world title to his collection, completing the course in just one minute and 18 seconds. Rutter had previously said he was hanging up his flippers after winning in 2023, but the lure of the bog proved too strong, bringing him back to reclaim the crown and become the first professional in the sport after being signed by Dacia cars.

Others took to the bog in a more jovial manner, with a vast range of fancy dress on the day, from a ‘Bogseye’ Fish Fingers box, to Spiderman, brides and more.

Competitors flew in from afar to have a go at the quirky event with some hailing from Australia, Germany, Sweden, Brittany and Ireland.

After her twenty-sixth time in the Waen Rydd bog, experienced bog snorkeller, Julia Galvin told the Brecon & Radnor Express how much bog snorkelling as a sport means to her: “This is my twenty-sixth time coming to Llanwrtyd Wells and I love it here,” she said.

“Everybody here is wonderful. When I came here twenty-six years ago it was because of Gordon Green’s invention of this bog snorkelling business and I was in hospital and I couldn’t walk, and there I saw in the Guiness Book of World Records, bog snorkelling. I said to myself, if I ever walk again, I’m going to do that.

“I had sciatica down both of my legs, had to use a zimmer frame and was on sixteen tablets a day for pain, so I’m very happy to be here for the twenty-sixth time. Unfortunately, we’ve just lost Gordon, a wonderful man that changed my life completely, so hopefully we can always do this in his memory and keep up the good work.”

The event sees ompetitors swim two 60-yard lengths of the peat bog using only a snorkel, mask, and flippers. Conventional swimming strokes are not allowed, so most participants rely on kicking or a doggy-paddle style to make their way through the mud, touching a post at either end of the course.

World record holder, Neil Rutter came out of retirement this year to win his sixth title. Rutter explained what makes the event so special. He said: “I think the reason why I love it so much is that it’s just really quirky and bonkers, and it’s not a traditional swimming event. I love all the fancy dress and the cheering and party atmosphere. It’s great how you can make a day of it and it’s just really fun.”

The event is organised by Green Events, who helped arrange the introduction of Bog Fest in partnership with title sponsors Chapel Music, who organised acts to perform across the weekend, including local young singer Aderyn from Defynnog.

Across the weekend was also the bogathlon, a triathlon completed in peat bogland. Husband dragging and wife carrying events also took place.

Men’s:

1st - Neil Rutter (01:18:13)

2nd - Thomas Howells (01:22:16)

3rd - Lewis Purssey (01:26:50)

Ladies:

1st - Sian Clement (01:32:34)

2nd - Marcia Gotesson (01:41:28)

3rd - Gayle Mather (01:45:41)

Over 50’s:

Male - Roy McWhirter (01:37:53)

Female - Tracy Carlson (01:59:53)

International:

1st: Marcia Gotesson (01:41:28)

2nd: Martin Gottschling (01:48:18)

3rd: Max Landen (01:49:41)