Racing as a Team, Bluefins Masters Record-Chasing Mixed Relays 2026

2 World Records and 1 European Record set in Derby.

Updated March 2026 

Being part of a team defines much of competitive swimming. A relay brings that connection into every length of the pool.

Masters relay racing combines individual performance with collective execution. Each swim contributes to a shared result, where pacing, order and consistency across all four legs determine performance.

The team set out in 2026 with a defined objective:

Achieve a clean sweep of all Mixed 200–239yrs relay British Records

Alongside this objective is the challenge of pushing performances towards European and World Record level across both short course and long course formats.

The Rise of Mixed Relays

Mixed relay events are a relatively recent addition to elite swimming and are now established at the highest level of the sport, requiring both individual performance and team strategy.

Both the Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay and Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay are now part of the Olympic programme.

The Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Great Britain won gold in a World Record time of 3:37.58.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the United States won gold and set a new World Record of 3:37.43.

This raises a wider question: could mixed relays play a role in age group and youth championships, particularly in creating more opportunities for smaller clubs to compete at higher levels?

What Does 200–239yrs Mean?

In Masters relay swimming, age groups are based on the combined age of all four swimmers.

The 200–239yrs category means:

• the total age of the team must fall between 200 and 239 years

• typically averaging around 50 years per swimmer

Relay Team Structure

The relays are built around two fixed team combinations, consistent across distances and course formats.

Core Relay Team

• Lizzie (46) • Martin (49) • Fleur (50) • Spencer (57)

Total Age: 202 years

50m and 100m Freestyle Relay Team

• Sarah (45) • Fleur (50) • Martin (49) • Spencer (57)

Total Age: 201 years

Target Relay Events

Freestyle Relays

• 4x50m Freestyle (SC & LC) • 4x100m Freestyle (SC & LC) • 4x200m Freestyle (SC & LC)

Medley Relays

• 4x50m Medley (SC & LC) • 4x100m Medley (SC & LC)

Total: 10 events

Season Tracker

March 2026 — Derby (Moorways Sports Village)

Two World Records, One European Record and One Individual British Record

Venue: Moorways Sports Village, Derby - Date: March 2026

4x100m Medley Relay (Long Course)

World Record

• Time: 4:28.07 • Previous WR: 4:30.56 • Previous ER: 4:31.25 • Previous BR: 4:31.25

For context, the current elite World Record is 50.64 seconds faster than the Masters 200-239yrs World Record.

Team: Lizzie (Backstroke), Martin (Breaststroke), Fleur (Butterfly), Spencer (Freestyle)

4x100m Freestyle Relay (Long Course)

World Record

• Time: 3:55.80 • Previous WR: 3:57.74 • Previous ER: 3:58.22 • Previous BR: 3:58.22

Team: Sarah, Fleur, Martin, Spencer

4x200m Freestyle Relay (Long Course)

European Record

• Time: 9:02.75 • World Record: 8:55.03 • Previous ER: 9:08.06 • Previous BR: 9:11.64

Team: Fleur (Lead-off), Lizzie, Spencer, Martin

Another World Record attempt is planned for June at the British Masters National Championships.

Additional Individual Records • Sarah Hunt — 100m Freestyle (lead-off): 1:01.52 (British Record)

February 2026 — Millfield (Royal Navy Masters Open)

One British Record

Venue: Royal Navy Masters 22nd Open, Millfield - Date: 22 February 2026

4x50m Medley Relay (Short Course)

British Record

• Time: 1:56.94 • World Record: 1:54.71 • European Record: 1:56.92 • Previous BR: 1:57.06

Team: Lizzie Coster, Martin Bennell, Fleur Turner, Spencer Turner

Summary (Season to Date)

• 2 World Records • 1 European Record • 1 British Relay Record

Clean Sweep British Record Tracker

4 of 10 achieved

• 4x50m Medley (SC) • 4x100m Medley (LC) • 4x100m Freestyle (LC) • 4x200m Freestyle (LC)

4x100m Medley & 4x200m Freestyle Relay (left) - Martin, Fleur, Lizzie, Spencer 4x100m Freestyle Relay (right) - Spencer, Sarah, Fleur, Martin

What’s Involved in These Record Attempts?

Masters swimming sits alongside full-time work, family life and daily responsibilities.

Each swimmer in the relay programme trains consistently across the week, typically completing:

• 3–7 pool sessions • 2–4 gym sessions

Training is built around early mornings, evenings and weekends, across club and public water time in both short and long course pools, combining group and solo work. This requires careful planning and consistency over time.

Performance reflects sustained training, technical work and long-term commitment. Recovery and nutrition are also key, with older athletes requiring more time between heavy training loads.

2025: NATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS  - OVERALL 5th RANKED CLUB

Written by Spencer Turner - Head of Swimming, Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club