Scots athlete beats record for swimming around Manhattan

Andrew swam the route which took him under 20 iconic New York bridges and, pending ratification, beat Wilkinson and set a new World Record with a time of 5:41:48.

Speaking to The Herald, Donaldson said: “For me, this has always been a bucket list challenge, to swim around the city that never sleeps, and to see its incredible skyline and iconic landmarks.

“In the marathon swimming world, the 20 Bridges Swim is historically iconic, and to target the world record was a big goal, but one I couldn't be more proud to have achieved.

“Everything needed to come together - a strong performance, the tides and timing had to align perfectly, and a great team, and it fortunately did. It came down to the wire with only 2 minutes in it at the end.”

Andrew swimming by the New York skyline with his kayak guide, Alex Arevalo. (Image: Andy Donaldson) He added: “What I’m most proud of isn’t just the time or result – it’s the team effort and meticulous preparation that made it all possible.

“It is also one of the most technical swims I’ve ever taken on – with complex tides and currents that can lose you crucial minutes if you're not in the right place at the right time.

“Chasing Oliver Wilkinson’s World Record, we knew everything had to go right, and thanks to the incredible preparation and the people around us, they did.”

Marathon swims are no stranger to Andrew, who last year completed the Ocean’s Seven challenge – the world’s most dangerous channel swims including the English Channell, the North Channel, the Tsugaru Strait, the Moloka’i Channel – which put Andrew in hospital afterward – and more.

During the Ocean’s Seven, Andrew smashed multiple UK and World Records, including the British record for the English Channel, and became the first person in the world to complete it in less than a year, managing all seven straits in 355 days between August 7, 2022, and July 27 2023.

He also became the fastest person to swim across the Cook Strait, which separates New Zealand’s North and South islands, in 4:33:50

However, Donaldson, who is originally from West Kilbride in North Ayrshire, said the swim around New York was one of the toughest challenges he has ever faced.

Andrew after completing the 46km swim. (Image: Andy Donaldson)

He said: “This wasn't an easy swim for me. 90 minutes in, I was struggling with heavy arms and the dreaded ‘claw hand’.

“I'd been feeling run down in the weeks leading up to the swim, and it certainly caught up with me out there. But it's times like this when preparation and incredible support make all the difference.

“To my coaches Eoin Carroll and Ryan Evernden thank you for everything you've done to help me get here. When things got tough, I was able to dig deep, knowing we’d put in the work to be ready for this.

“Thank you for everything you've done to help me get here. When things got tough, I was able to dig deep, knowing we’d put in the work to be ready for this.”

Also taking part in the 20 Bridges swim alongside Donaldson was his friend and former training partner Josie Page, who completed the swim in 5:47 – just shy of the Women’s World Record.

Andrew with freind and former training partner Jodie Page. (Image: Andy Donaldson) With Andrew’s new record, he said he now plans to push the limits of swimming even further and wants to raise awareness of issues he cares about such as ocean health and youth mental health.

He told The Herald: “I have a few smaller challenges all aimed at supporting important causes like Mental Health or Ocean Health.

“But I would love to take on something truly remarkable like swimming the length of the Thames or swimming from Cuba to Florida.”