Cowes Classic
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Event overview
The Cowes Classic is a swim-run event held in Cowes, Victoria, as part of the Bass Coast Series (Race 2). The course combines a beach swim around Cowes Pier with a road run that finishes in front of the North Pier Hotel. The event is a fundraiser; proceeds support local sporting clubs and volunteer surf life saving patrols on Phillip Island. The event date is Saturday 31 January 2026.
- 500 m tide-assisted swim around the pier
- 4 km run along Thompson Ave, Chapel St toward Silverleaves, then back along the foreshore
Entry, categories and rules
Registration is online only; no walk-ins are permitted. The minimum competitor age is 15 on race day. Entry pricing includes early bird and standard tiers, with discounted rates for juniors and team relay options. Categories cover junior and senior age groups, masters (40+ and 50+) and male, female and mixed relays, plus a local-resident classification for Bass Coast Shire residents. Wetsuits are allowed and swim caps provided; no extraneous aids such as fins or flotation devices are permitted. Each competitor receives a timing transponder that must be worn for the race; lost or unreturned transponders incur a $100 replacement fee. Race results and presentations are held at the North Pier Hotel after the event. Prize details for 2026 are to be confirmed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
