Sydney put on one of its best days of the summer at Australia’s largest ocean swim, The Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic with Josh Beard taking out the 2km elite swim.
Beard of South Coogee took out the top spot in the 2km swim with a time of 25 minutes and 38 seconds, while Alicia Caldwell won the female category, finishing the course in 28 minutes and 7 seconds.
The 1km swim saw Elliot Long take out first place for the men in 12 minutes and 4 seconds, while Georgia Miller was the first woman to cross the line with a time of 12 minutes and 15 seconds.
The Dee Why to Manly 9km (approximate) swim kicked off at 8am, with Lochie Hinds crossing the line first with a time of 1 hour and 51 minutes. 19 people took part in the 9km swim, ranging in age from 17 to 59 years. All finishers in the event received a commemorative medal, while category winners and place getters received the famous Cole plates.
The event was a great success despite the choppy conditions at Manly Beach, with the 1km and 2km waves starting and finishing at Shelly Beach. The 9km event took off from Dee Why as planned and also finished up at Shelly Beach.
Combined, the Cole Classic and The Sydney Morning Herald Sun Run, raised in excess of $507,000 for more than 600 charities including the Manly and Dee Why Life Saving Clubs.
