+ RACE DETAILS

500m tide assisted swim around the pier. Don your shoes at the transition zone for a 4km run up Thompson Ave, turning left down Chapel St towards Silverleaves, then looping back along the foreshore to the finish in front of the North Pier Hotel.

• Cowes Classic race start time 2pm, Saturday 31st January, 2026.

• Marshall at the start 15min before race time.

• You will only be able to register online. Strictly no walk-ins.

• Results presented at the North Pier hotel after the race.

+ REGISTRATION AND COST

Online Registrations Only, Stricly no walk-ins

Register HERE

The minimum competitor age is 15 years on the day of the event.

Early Bird (until September 30th 2025)

• Individuals 18 Plus - $70

• Juniors U/18 - $45

• Relay Teams - $90

Standard

• Individuals 18 Plus - $75

• Juniors U/18 - $50

• Relay Teams - $100

+ ENTRANT CATEGORIES

• JM  Junior male 15 – 17
• JF   Junior female 15 – 17
• SM   Senior male 18+
• SF   Senior female 18+
• M40   Male 40+
• F40   Female 40+
• M50   Male 50+
• F50   Female 50+

Team relay

• TM   Male
• TF   Female
• TX   Mixed

Local resident

The competitor must have a permanent residential address in Bass Coast Shire.

Age on day of the event

The minimum competitor age is 15.

+ COMPETITION DAY

Race time

Saturday 31st January 2026 @ 2pm

Marshall

Competitor briefing at the Cowes foreshore 15 minutes before the race start

Register

Race Centre closes 30 minutes before the race. Here you will receive your timing bracelet and coloured swimming cap- the colour dictates which start wave you will be in. You will also hand over your transition bag which contains your runners and any other belongings you require at the completion of the swim leg in preparation for the run. Participants will also receive a Race Pack which includes their Cowes Classic T-Shirt and other goodies.

+ Results

Presentations at North Pier Hotel after the race.

+ PRIZES

Cowes Classic boasts one of the largest pools of cash prizes and giveaway. 2026 Prize pool to be confirmed  

+ RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. No extraneous aids are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to fins, boards, snorkels, flotation gear, and personal support teams.
2. Wetsuits may be worn.
3. Course Marshalls shall have the authority to disqualify any competitors.
4. Race officials shall have the ultimate and final authority to remove a competitor if the competitor is judged to be physically incapable of continuing the race without risk of injury.
5. All competitors must adhere to the course as marked.
6. Competitors will be required to have an official race number, and during the swim wear an official sponsor’s swim cap, provided upon registration.
7. Organisers reserve the right to accept, reject, and cancel entries.
8. The spirit of friendly competition should be maintained throughout the event. Any unsportsmanlike behaviour will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
9. Only those participants who have trained and feel competent to complete the event should enter the event.
10. We recommend wetsuits and goggles be worn by swimmers.
11. Each competitor will be issued with a transponder (timing bracelet) which they will be required to wear at all times during the race. It is the responsibility of competitors to ensure the transponders are securely fastened to them prior to entering and exiting the water. Non-returned or lost transponders will incur a $100 replacement charge.