The gloriously romantic inspiration for Marseille's annual Monte Cristo Challenge is, as the name hints, Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. In it, Dumas' hero, Edmund Dantès, escapes from the impregnable Château d'If by swimming to freedom.

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Hundreds of swimmers flock to Marseille every year to pay homage to Dantès in an annual swimming race from the island-fortress to the shore. In its 14th year, the 2012 Monte Cristo Challenge (Le Défi de Monte-Cristo) will take place on 23-24 June.

However, the race doesn't replicate Dantès' swim in the book. He makes for the islands of Tiboulen and Maïre - having first struggled his way out of a body bag (you'll have to read the novel to find out why). Thankfully, contestants in the Challenge aren't required to do that.

The route, too, is different. It begins on the northern shore of the If island, goes towards the Soudaras lighthouse, continues towards Endoume point, then passes 300 metres (328 yards) along the Corniche JF Kennedy, in front of the Anse de la Fausse Monnaie and La Plage du Prophète, ending up at the Plage du Grand Roucas Blanc in the Prado beach park just south of Marseille, which is probably the best spot to watch the race as a spectator.

The race starts from the Château d'If on Sunday 24 June at 10.00am and is five km (three miles) long, but there are shorter races too over the weekend. A purse of 3,000€ awaits the winner and each entrant gets a souvenir T-shirt.

How to Enter the Monte Cristo Challenge

You can enrol for the race from 1 February on the Monte Cristo Challenge website or by mail (the form can be downloaded on the site). It's advisable not to delay, as the main race is open to a maximum of 700 swimmers.

Taking up the Monte Cristo Challenge costs 30€; the shorter races are cheaper and are limited to 300 entrants. The Junior Challenge, open to swimmers aged 12-15, is free.

This being France, all contestants must be in possession of a recent medical certificate attesting to their fitness. You can swim either with or without flippers (there is a 30-second handicap for the former).

The full allocation of contestants took part in 2011 and most entrants completed the course in under two hours. The winners, who completed the course in one hour, were Lisa St Jours (with flippers) and Stéphane Gomez (without flippers).

Find further reading and viewing on Amazon

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas père.

The Count of Monte Cristo (films)