Unlike traditional aquathlons or run-swim-runs, Swimrun Australia: Sydney East combines swimming and running in a multi-stage event, involving athletes completing the course with multiple legs of each discipline, swimming and running in the same gear and carrying everything they need for the race from start to finish.

There are four races with a distance for everyone (view the full race breakdowns on the event website).

SWIMRUN MINI
2KM | 9 SECTIONS
SWIM 700M, RUN 1.3KM

Ditch the gear and enjoy a miniature barefoot race contained to the beach and bay. You’ll complete two circuits and cross through the event hub in the middle to the roaring support of your friends and family.

SWIMRUN SPRINT
6KM | 11 SECTIONS
SWIM 1.8KM, RUN 4.2KM

The sprint race is perfect as an introduction to the sport, a fun experience or literally sprinted. Race alone or share the fun with friends as you enjoy the course from Rose Bay to Nielsen Park and back.

SWIMRUN SHORT
10.3KM | 13 SECTIONS
SWIM 1.9KM, RUN 8.4KM

The short race is the inbetweener, not a sprint, not a slog. You can race solo or as a team and use the distance as a stepping stone to the long race. A unique feature of this race is the crossing of the Parsley Bay Bridge.

SWIMRUN LONG
16.4KM | 23 SECTIONS
SWIM 2.7KM, RUN 13.7KM

Raced on Australia’s very first swimrun course, the route is long yet achievable, with 22 bite-sized sections from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay and back. Take on the challenge yourself, or team up to race in traditionally.

Pre-race nerves may dictate that you don’t focus on anything other than preparing yourself mentally before the event… but afterwards, you’ll find yourself back at Rose Bay, the eastern suburbs harbourside gem.

Start by chilling out under a tree in Lyne Park, then grab a coffee and a bacon and egg roll. Following that, you’re probably going to want to eat… so you can head north into the Rose Bay shops, east to Bondi and its plethora of cafes, or south into Double Bay.

We could tell you about all the activities in the area, but you won’t have the energy.

Parking isn’t too bad in the area if you get there early enough. Free parking is available on New South Head Road and in the Lyne Park carpark (just watch the time limits on some parks).

The Rose Bay ferry sails in and docks at the park, so that’s a fantastic option for those coming further afield. Check the ferry timetable. Buses also run up and down New South Head Road from Bondi Junction and the city.