When you reach the age of 80, you know your long-distance swimming days are long past. But I thought I would celebrate my birthday with one final, albeit brief, effort --the annual four mile cross Bosporus event in Istanbul. Encouraged and aided by Ozan Kurtcu, who coached Otter members at Marshall Street over the summer, I prepared with a number of long steady sessions in lakes, the sea and pools, at least with the knowledge that unlike the Channel and the Cumbrian lakes, the one thing I need not worry about was the cold because the water in Turkey was as warm as some London indoor facilities.
Although the race was not until Sunday August 20, I went out three days early as I had not visited Istanbul before and wanted to take the chance of looking round a fascinating city. I also confirmed my registration and got my accreditation --all done efficiently by volunteers and officials of the Turkish Olympic Committee, who put on the event.
John and Ozan
The race was superbly organised with close attention to detail such as an examination of one's nails before boarding the boats to go to the start. If they are too long and so might scratch fellow-competitors in the hurly burly of the start, clippers were provided. There were 2500 entries and I was the fourth oldest with a cap 004, only regretting I was not the seventh oldest. People start in waves with timing done automatically by means of a electronic bracelet round one's ankle, which is activated on entering the water and then registers your time after having climbed up one of the ladders at the end.
The swim was far less of a challenge that I had expected. Hot sunshine, a following wind and above all an extremely strong favourable current, demonstrated by the winner's time of 41 minutes (for four miles !), while I did one hour seven minutes. I went wrong at the end and didn't get close enough to the bank towards the finish which probably cost me two minutes, having to battle briefly a cross current. Afterwards, you were given food and drinks and a large towel.
Although I entered, thanks to Ozan, through the Turkish Olympic Committee, Swim Trek run trips out there but places are at a premium. It was a rewarding experience but anyone doing the swim should make sure they leave plenty of time for sightseeing. There are historical resonances everywhere in the city.
John Goodbody