MY SWIMRUN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Participating in the Backwaterman Marathon or Half in 2026 gives you the chance to qualify for the World Swimrun Championship.
View all races in Europe
and beyond here:
https://www.myswimrunchampionships.com/qualifier-events-2025-2026/
QUALIFICATION SYSTEM – MY SWIMRUN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026
All about direct qualification , ranking , points counting and age categories for 2026.
Two ways to qualify
1) Direct qualification
If you win 1st place at an official Qualifier Event in Half , Marathon or Ultra , you are immediately qualified for that distance (or for a shorter distance).
No minimum of 2 races required
The direct qualification also applies within your own age category (Elite or Masters).
2) Qualification via ranking
- Approximately 300 men and 300 women can qualify for the 2026 World Marathon Championships .
- Prerequisite: You have completed at least two races .
- You collect points in Half , Marathon and Ultra (top 30 receive points).
- Sprint points can be added as an extra via the Eliminator in Dyfi .
- The ranking is updated after each race .
Age categories
Solo
- Elite: 16–39 years
- Masters: 40+
Teams
- Men, women or mixed
- Under 90 and 90+ years (total age of both athletes)
Some races may differ; the ranking will then be recalculated according to the official schedule.
Important to know
- Points are personal and non-transferable .
- Qualification applies to the distance won or shorter .
- Participating in Natura 2000 means that we take good care of nature and routes.
Points system
The top 30 in each race receive points. The higher you finish, the more points you get.
| Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | …until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra | 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 210 | Top 30 |
| Marathon | 200 | 190 | 185 | 180 | 175 | Top 30 |
| Half | 150 | 140 | 135 | 130 | 125 | Top 30 |
Sprint points can be added as an extra via the Eliminator in Dyfi.
Sample calculation
Suppose an athlete competes in three races. The best two, plus any Sprint bonus, count.
| Race | Distance | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BackYard Ultra Amsterdam | Ultra | 8th | 210 |
| Kuopio Backyard Ultra | Ultra | 12th | 190 |
| Dyfi Eliminator | Sprint | 2nd | +10 bonus |
Total: 210 + 190 + 10 = 410 points •Completed at least 2 racesParticipation via ranking is possible
FAQ link to questions like below
Do I always have to do two races?
Do my points remain valid if I race with different partners?
Are there wildcards?
When is the ranking up to date?
More information & Registration
Current information about qualification and championships can be found on the official webside
