Sarah Thomas

Sarah Thomas is an ultramarathon swimmer known for her achievements in open water swimming. Thomas is the first person to complete four consecutive crossings of the English Channel and the first to swim a current-neutral distance of more than 100 miles. She holds the world record for the longest, second-longest, and third-longest current-neutral swims, as well as multiple records in both fresh and salt water categories.

Thomas's career in marathon swimming includes a series of record-setting performances. After being introduced to open water swimming through the Horsetooth Open Water Swim, Thomas became the 59th person to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. She was the first to complete a two-way crossing of Lake Tahoe and, shortly after, the first to complete a two-way crossing of Lake Memphremagog. Her solo swim across Lake Powell was recognized as the World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year, followed by a world record swim covering 104.6 miles over 67 hours in Lake Champlain.

Thomas faced a significant personal challenge when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and a mastectomy. Despite these obstacles, Thomas continued to train and regained much of her pre-cancer speed and strength. One year after completing treatment, she became the first person to swim four consecutive crossings of the English Channel, a feat completed in 54 hours and 10 minutes. The Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation recognized her achievement as a significant example of endurance and determination. Her historic crossing is the subject of the documentary film "The Other Side."

Thomas has continued to advance the sport of open water swimming. She became the first person to complete a two-way crossing of the North Channel, swimming for more than 21 hours in cold water with challenging conditions. She also became the first to swim the length of Lake Mead, completing a 47.5-mile swim from the Colorado River to the Hoover Dam. Her accolades include induction as an Honor Swimmer in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, selection as Colorado Sportswomen of the Year, and recognition as one of the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Women by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Thomas is a keynote speaker and coach. She delivers presentations at special events, sharing lessons learned from marathon swimming and her experience overcoming cancer. Thomas has appeared on ABC National News, CBS, Good Morning Britain, GMA3, Inside Edition, and NBC Nightly News, and has been featured in Sports Illustrated, 5280 Magazine, Red Bull, and The Guardian. Her message of resilience, preparation, and perseverance resonates with a wide range of audiences, including corporate groups, cancer survivors, and aspiring athletes.