Open Water

The Last Dance. 💙🏊‍♀️

21 years of Backwaterman.
21 years filled with emotions, challenges, unforgettable moments, and an incredible open water community.

The final Backwaterman Open Water was a true test until the very end. With air temperatures reaching 38.7°C (101.7°F), 240 athletes from 20 nations, together with our volunteers, safety teams, and the entire organizing crew, gave everything they had.

It was tough. It was relentless. And that's exactly why this day will never be forgotten.

Thank you to everyone who made Backwaterman what it became over all these years—our athletes, volunteers, sponsors, partners, supporters, and fans.

The Last Dance. Thank you for 21 unforgettable years. ❤️

👉 Read the full race report and find all race results blow
https://raceid.com/de/races/14232/result

Race report

Backwaterman SwimRun 2026 – The Last Dance

Some races are remembered for the results. Backwaterman will be remembered for the journey.

After eight unforgettable editions, Backwaterman SwimRun came to its final finish line on June 28, 2026. Under extreme heat and on a completely redesigned marathon course, athletes faced one of the toughest challenges in the event's history. As host of the My SwimRun World Championships Marathon, the race welcomed nearly 100 of Europe's finest SwimRun athletes to Lake Ottenstein for a farewell worthy of its legacy.

But Backwaterman was never just about kilometres, podiums or finish times. It was about courage, trust, teamwork and friendship. It was about helping each other over rocks, through the water, and across the finish line. It was about creating memories that will last a lifetime.

To every athlete, volunteer, safety crew, partner, sponsor and supporter who has been part of this journey over the past eight years: Thank you.

You made Backwaterman what it has always been—More Than a Race.

full race report below