I’d had this event on my radar for a couple of years, but for various reasons (being held on same weekend as SMH Half or Sydney 10, or it being sold out) I never entered. Same story this year until three weeks before the race Kroney asks if I would mind stepping in to fill his place as his knee was playing up.

Was delighted to get the chance, as Brendan and his team-mate from years prior Alex have form on this course having podiumed before.

The thing about swim run is that it involves a lot of swimming, a lot of running, and a lot of transitions. 14 runs and 13 swims over a 17.3km course that goes from Rose Bay, around South Head lighthouse and back. The great thing is that it rewards consistency more than anything. You don’t need to be the best at any one discipline, just good at all three.

In swim run you run with whatever you swim with, and you are allowed to swim with just about anything smaller than a boogie board. The end result is most people (certainly the pros) swim in their running shoes, use hand paddles and pull buoys. Alex and I met up and did a practice two weeks before the race, and it was there that I decided on my ‘brave’ strategy of racing in my Five Fingers figuring a) they would not feel so awkward in the water, b) I can run in them, and c) I would likely not sprain my ankle wearing them running on the sand. Also the tendinopathy I’ve been struggling with for 12 months has been almost unnoticeable when I run in them.

So Alex and I were teamed up, and once Alex saw the start list he was thinking a top 10 was probably an outside chance at best. As well as a couple of Bondi lifeguards the start list featured Luke McKenzie (Kona 2013 – 2nd), former winner Crossy teamed up with Pete Walker (Dean Degan having pulled up lame), and also POD and JC who as well as knowing how to race, know their way around the eastern suburbs beaches too.

Race morning hits and we were ready to go at 8am. The start was a pretty easy 400 or so metre run, mostly on sand to the first swim. Then we entered the water for a wade of about 300 metres before it got deep enough to swim. I figure we entered the water just inside the top 10, and once we were swimming we were probably in the top 7. The first swim was easy enough, I just made sure Alex and I were close. I didn’t want to be the new kid who stuffed it all up by separating more than 10 meters (which is cause for a DQ). I think we got out of the water in about 6th, and on the next run (400m) that became 5th. I think we had 4th in the bag by the end of the second swim, and it was there we stayed for a while.

Coming out of the 5th swim at Watsons Bay I caught sight of Pete’s green tri shorts not far back, so I figured he and Crossy could be making themselves known soon. Having rounded South Head lighthouse we approached the 7th swim just beyond Doyles and here we had a couple of guys behind us who passed us just before the water, but we passed them again in the swim. The same thing happened on the next run, and we passed them again on the following swim. It was pretty apparent they were good runners, but weaker swimmers.

In the long 2.4km run out of Nielsen Park they gapped us significantly but once again we passed them near the end of the 4th last swim, put in a spurt as we leapt out of the water and up some stairs, and never saw them again. Pete and Crossy on the other hand… they were now in the rear view mirror having had a strong return leg. On the second last swim, which (about 600 metres) they seemed to close to about 50 metres. This was a bit like a bad dream. The water became deep enough to swim, but also just shallow enough to run… very slowly. Every time I turned around there they were, looking strong and close enough to hear them talking. Fortunately slow progress was the same for both teams and they didn’t appear to be gaining… much. Finally we got to the sand, ran the 400 metres to the final 30 metre swim, and up the ramp to collect 4th, just under a minute ahead of Crossy and Pete.

Luke McKenzie took out the win on the men’s side with his teammate, while Greta did brilliantly take out 2nd in the mixed team race.

All in all one of the most enjoyable races I’ve done in years. Highly recommended.