
Have you ever seen a Spencer silver or gold swim cap and wondered how to get one? The secret is out! They are prizes in the Spencer Mile Open Water Race! After a break of a couple of years, the event made a very welcome return to the calendar in 2025 at a new venue – Denham Lake – thanks to the brilliant organisation of Jennifer and Coach Steve.
Check in was at 9am for a 9.45am start, when Spencer had the use of the whole lake to ourselves. The “mile” consisted of 2 x 1k laps of an easy-to-navigate course parallel to the iconic Colne Valley viaduct for HS2, the recently completed longest railway bridge in the UK.
Early on the scene, in a preview of the race to come were out of towners Matthew, Alan and Amanda (in that order) who were there in plenty of time to survey the course, discuss tactics and don their superfast wetsuits.

Steve gave the briefing, where we learnt that there would be two waves, with the men starting 5 minutes behind the women. There was then a big debate about how cold the water was and whether the fastest guys could catch the fastest girls. There was only one way to find out, so the girls slithered off the pontoon and into the water. The answers: a very pleasant 17-18 degrees and no, of course they couldn’t!
The race produced some very close finishes, with Matthew spotting the pontoon finishing line to overtake Alan in the final stretch, and Clare and Laura touching together.
Post race, we enjoyed Denham Water Ski club’s hot showers, changing facilities and coffee bar, as well as home made focaccia, banana bread and muffins kindly provided by race participants. Then, on to the prize giving, where everyone won a gold, silver or blue Spencer cap for coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their age group.
The best thing: everyone felt so great after a brisk morning swim and socialise. Here’s hoping that more folk will join us for next year’s race.
Results:
Wetsuit women:
Lisa Scott – 37.24, 1st, 20-29
Alexandra Bullen-Smith – 42.25, 2nd, 20-29
Josie Miller – 34.07, 1st, 30-39
Amanda Heath – 32.09, 1st, 60+
Nicola Malin – 38.52, 2nd, 60+
Overall winner: Amanda Heath
Wetsuit men:
Matthew Taylor – 28.52, 1st, 50-59
Joe Dean – 36.19, 2nd, 50-59
Alan Parkins – 28.54, 1st, 60+
Overall winner: Matthew Taylor
Skins women:
Jennifer Kelly – 33.41, 1st, 30-39
Helen Cumber – 34.19, 2nd, 30-39
Clare Humphries – 37.06, joint 1st 40-49
Laura Mason – 37.06, joint 1st 40-49
Jane Turner – 41.38, 2nd, 40-49
Overall winner: Jennifer Kelly
Skins men:
Alex Hulme – 37.04, 1st, 20-29
Josh Stratford – 37.17, 1st, 30-39
Ross Needham – 32.31, 1st, 40-49
Michael Shaw – 39.51, 2nd, 40-49
Ben Lillywhite – 44.36, 3rd, 40-49
Luke Schuberth – 35.43, 1st, 50-59
Karl Simpson – 36.55, 2nd, 50-59
Overall winner: Ross Needham