600 take plunge in unusual St Petersburg swim

More than 600 swimmers from 13 countries have stroked their way through one of Russia’s most scenic and historic settings, circling the St Petersburg island that holds the Peter and Paul Fortress.

The 2.3-kilometre (1.42-mile) circuit – which some swam twice – took them around the famous site noted for the needle-thin golden church spire that rises 122 metres (402ft) high.

The cathedral is where most Russian tsars since Peter the Great are buried.

It is a tough swim not only for its length but because of strong currents and seaweed in the Neva River.

Yelena Vodolazova, 46, of St Petersburg, said “it was not only a physical challenge for oneself but also an unforgettable experience of swimming in such a beautiful historical location where swimming is normally restricted”.