Now in its 22nd year, the 2007 World Bog Snorkelling Championships is one of the principal events in the UK’s alternative sporting calendar and attracted 120 competitors from all over the world. Snorkellers battle the clock and the elements as they strive to complete two full lengths of a dank and muddy 60-yard trench cut into the smelly Waen Rhydd peat bog in the quickest possible time.

MSN Video - action from the World Bog Snorkelling Championships

Despite being a water based sport, conventional swimming strokes are banned in bog snorkelling. The racers, having donned snorkels, goggles and flippers, can only rely on leg power as they navigate through the murky waters. Although not compulsory, the use of a wet suit is strongly advised. The competition is open to all and, for a small fee, hopefuls can register for the event online.

A new bog snorkelling world record

Last year's champion Haydn Pitchforth will have been disappointed to only come 6th this time around. Not only is he no longer the best bog snorkeller in the world, he's also been relegated to being the 2nd best bog snorkeller in his own family after his wife Joanne Pitchforth, a school teacher from West Yorkshire, was crowned the 2007 winner. Mrs Pitchforth is a keen Underwater Hockey player and her expertise in this sport propelled her to bog snorkelling glory as she negotiated the trench in a new world record time of 1 minute 35.46 seconds.

Play bog snorkelling online

The success of the World Bog Snorkelling Championships has spawned some equally extreme offshoot events. The Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling event also takes place in Llanwtyrd Wells and sees competitors using pedal power rather than flippers to negotiate the treacherous trench. In 2003, event organisers also introduced a Bog Snorkelling triathlon involving a 12 mile fell run, a 19 mile cycle and, of course, two lengths of the famous Waen Rhydd trench!