It was a busy night at the Aquatic Centre for the Swift Current Special Olympics team last evening.

Roughly 20 athletes took to the water, swimming as many widths of the pool as they could in an hour to raise money for the program during the fifth-annual Swim Marathon.

Jackie Powell, Special Olympics swim coach, said although the fundraising totals aren't finalized yet, she's amazed at the community's support for the event.

"The athletes are going out and connecting with their friends and neighbours," she said. "They've always had a really good response and they've always surprised me at how much they were able to bring in."

Eight participants swam at least 100 widths of the pool during the event with Tyler Servant leading the way with 200 widths improving his total from last year by 70.

Powell said she's seen all of the athletes continue to improve their skills on a regular basis.

"All of them (have improved)," she said. "Even the couple young ones that just started this season, what they've been able to accomplish so far is amazing because we've only been in the water for two and a half months."

The Swift Current Special Olympics program is hoping to have the final fundraising totals calculated within the next week.