Cole Classic

The Cole Classic is an open-water swimming event, held annually at Manly in Sydney, Australia. Organisers publicise it as one of Australia's longest running ocean swims.^{[citation needed]} It is organised by Fairfax Events (who also organise City2surf) for The Sydney Morning Herald, with the Manly Life Saving Club.^[1]

The race takes place on the first Sunday in February. Both the 1 km and 2 km events start from Shelly Beach and finish at Manly's Steyne Beach.

History

The Cole Classic was started by the Cole family in 1982. The 2 km swim was originally staged at Bondi Beach. In 2007, it was relocated to Manly, on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. Coinciding with the move, a 1 km swim was added to encourage participation of novice swimmers.

In 2009, the swim expected 4,000 combined participants in the two race categories.^[2]

In 2010, Luane Rowe, 20, claimed the women's title in the 2 km event (26min) and came third overall. Luane also came second in the 1 km race. Josh Beard, who was the second fastest male in 2010, claimed the 2010 Cole Classic men's trophy in a time of 24min. The oldest swimmer in the field in 2010 was 80-year-old John Kelso from Balgowlah who won the 75-plus category.^[3]

References

1. ^{[dead link]}"Sun Run & Cole Classic - The Sydney Morning Herald". Coleclassic.com. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
2. "Cole Classic still the ultimate challenge as huge field tipped - Swimming". Smh.com.au. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
3. Lewis, Daniel (7 February 2010). "Rowe closes gender gap with third place". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2018.