Wales hosts bog snorkeling battle

The annual World Bog Snorkeling Championships celebrates its 20th birthday when competitors don the flippers in one of Britain’s most bizarre sporting events. The championships take place in Llanwrtyd Wells, central Wales, Britain’s smallest town, and see entrants snorkel through the murky Waen Rhydd peat bog, overcoming mud, weeds and creepy crawlies in their grim quest for glory. Wet suits are optional but conventional swimming strokes are most certainly banned as competitors thrash through two lengths of the filthy 55-meter long trench. Reigning champion Philip John of Bridgend, south Wales, won his third consecutive title last year, aged just 17, wallowing through the stinking trench in 96.65 seconds. Competitors from as far afield as Australia and the United States took part in 2004. The event costs US$21 to enter with all profits going to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust charity. ...via