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She beat 58 other competitors to win the 2.4km event on Sunday August 22, 2004. The race sees competitors dash into Bridgwater Bay at Burnham-On-Sea beach, then swim across the bay to Stert Island before swimming back to Burnham. Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com after crossing the finishing line in a time of 27 minutes, 43 seconds (just 13 seconds outside of her winning time in 2003), Sarah (29) said: "It was a tougher race this year because the sea was choppier, but I'm pleased with my time. It's a great event." Sarah trains at least six times every week, swimming up 20,000 metres as part of her triathlon training. Malcolm Greenslade from Lyme Regis was second, Paul Cox from Bath was third, Charlotte Maurisson from Bradford-on-Avon was fourth, Rob Morris from Bristol was fifth and Neil Anderson from Bromley, Kent was sixth.
The unique event, which is run by Sedgemoor District Council, attracts dozens of spectators and participants from all over the country. Onlookers are able to watch from Burnham's Esplanade and for the first time this year also were able to support local charities by buying produce from a dozen craft stalls set up along the seafront. FULL STERT ISLAND SWIM 2004 RESULTS: Position
Name Age Town Finish Time Click here for the 2003 Stert Island Swim results Background to the Stert Island Swim: In August 2000, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council rescurrected the Stert Island Swim as a Millennium Project. Prior to this, there had been no swim for 40 years. Since 2000 the event has been held every year.
The event has to be swum on the Neap Tide where there is maximum high water for sufficient length of time to ensure the swimmers can reach the Island safely and return. Wetsuits are encouraged as the water temperature rarely exceeds 18 degrees Centigrade. A range of competitions for children were also held on the beach after the 2004 swim with the sandcastle competition being won by The Sand Rockers, second Burnham Bells, third Castle Guards. The anagrams competition was won by Emma Bolton and Katriana Short won the wordsearch contest. How to enter next year's Stert Island Swim: The numbers of the participants in the Stert Island Swim are limited to 80 and no entries are accepted on the day, so those wishing to participate must contact Sedgemoor District Council in advance to secure a place. Entry fees for 2004 were £7.50 and all participants receive a goody-bag and commemorative gift. Swimmers should be aware that the race takes place in a tidal estuary and participants should be 18 years old or over and confident in their ability to swim in cold open water. Full first aid and rescue facilities are provided. For information on the next event in August 2005 and to receive an entry form when available, please contact King Alfred Sports Centre on 01278 786868 or email kingalfred.sports@sedgemoor.gov.uk. More about the 2003 Stert Island Swim. More
information about Stert Island. HAVE
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Bath
University triathlete
Sarah Hartshorn (pictured right) won the gruelling
sea swim between Burnham-On-Sea and Stert Island for the second year
running. 
The
oldest competitor this year was 70-year-old Roger Venner from Burnham-On-Sea
(pictured right) who finished in a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes and 2 seconds.
The
organisers of the event say the Stert Island Swim should be seen as
a challenge rather than a race and something for athletes to get their
teeth into. 