Jodie Kidd Thrilled By Swimming Time

Jodie Kidd was one of 5,000 people to take on the British Gas Great London  Swim one-mile open water challenge on the weekend, at the Royal Victoria Dock in London’s East End.

The event, which also featured elite men’s and women’s races, produced a feast of world-class sporting action.

The British supermodel and TV personality said: "It’s a fantastic event with an amazing atmosphere.

"I’ve never seen so many swimmers gathered together all in their wetsuits with the one sense of purpose.

"I’m doing the swim to achieve a little goal, take myself out of my comfort zone and do something entirely different."

Jodie was delighted with her time of 40mins 54secs as she had been aiming to complete the course in under an hour.

Other notable participants to take part in the race where Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew, Olympic silver duo Dave Davies and Keri-Anne Payne and TV star Vernon Kay.

The British Gas Great Swim Series has been about mass participation and the Great London Swim proved a huge success for the 5,000-plus swimmers who took part, many of whom were swimming for charity, with around £250,000 thought to have been raised overall.