AN ATHERTON-based swimmer will be ensuring his ambitions do not sink when he takes part in a 28.5-mile swimathon in nine days time.

Mark Blewitt, a 32-year-old marketing manager, has been training hard to achieve his dream of swimming in the Manhattan Island Race in New York on June 12.

And he is building up his stamina by entering the icy waters of Liverpool's Albert Dock.

He can also be found training at Worsley Swimming Club and with the Howe Bridge Marlins, with whom he was crowned Swimmer of the Year in 1998.

Mark, who was born in Bolton but now lives in Manchester, came fourth in the 10.5-mile Lake Windermere race in 1998 with a time of five hours and 49 minutes.

He said: "It's something I've wanted to do for ages.

"I've been taking things a step at a time. I started off with short, two-mile swimming marathons and then four mile races.

"It then went on from there. Each place has its own attraction."

He will be competing against 30 of the world's finest long-distance swimmers.

The Manhattan race has a time limit of 9.5 hours but Mark hopes to complete it more quickly. The record currently stands at 6.5 hours. To keep his energy levels up, he will be regularly fed energy drinks by his assistant - but he is hoping to eat a few bars of chocolate as well.

He said: "When you swim you burn up a lot of energy and it needs to be replaced. Chocolate is a very good source."

Mark, who took up swimming six years ago, is being sponsored by his employer, Tradewinds Worldwide Holidays, and British Airways.

But his ambitions will continue to make a splash after the American race.

He said: "The cross-channel swim is a possibility but I want to concentrate on Manhattan for the moment."

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