Perth’s ocean run-swim events: the quick version
If your favourite part of a Saturday run is the dip at the end, a run swim run event might be your thing. The Freo Ocean Classic Run Swim Run is on Saturday 14 November 2026 at Leighton Beach in North Fremantle, and it lets you run, swim and then run along the sand, either solo or in a relay team. Later in summer, the Swanny Ocean Classic runs from Cottesloe to Swanbourne on Saturday 6 February 2027.
Neither event asks you to be fast. Both have stand-alone options, so you can enter just the run, just the swim, or share the load with friends. Here’s what each involves, what it costs and how to make your first ocean event a good one.
Information checked October 2026. Details can change, so confirm on the official event sites before you enter.
- Freo Ocean Classic Run Swim Run: Saturday 14 November 2026, Leighton Beach, North Fremantle. Aquathlon (run, swim, beach run), solo or team, plus run-only and swim-only events.
- Swanny Ocean Classic: Saturday 6 February 2027, Cottesloe Beach to Swanbourne Beach. A 2km swim or a 2km run.
- Who they suit: runners who already love an ocean dip, swimmers who want to try running, and groups of mates who want a relay.
What is the Freo Ocean Classic run swim run?
The Freo Ocean Classic Run Swim Run (FOC’RS) is an aquathlon held at Leighton Beach, based at the Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club. The organisers describe it as an event that “mixes beach running with a refreshing dip to cool you off between running”, and it was created to support the future of the Freo Ocean Classic ocean swim.
You start with a run on the path, swim in the ocean, then finish with a run on the sand. You can do the whole thing yourself or enter as a team and split the legs. If you’re not ready to swim, there’s a path run or beach run on its own.
Freo Ocean Classic distances
The official course and event details page lists these options:
| Event | Run | Swim | Beach run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquathlon Full (12+) | 6km | 2km | 2km |
| Aquathlon Half (12+) | 3km | 1km | 1km |
| Aquathlon Short (8-13) | 3km | 500m | 1km |
Individual legs are also available: a path run of 6km or 3km (ages 8+), a beach run of 2km or 1km (ages 8+), or a swim of 2km or 1km (ages 12+) or 500m (ages 8-13).
How much does it cost?
Early bird pricing closes on 9 November 2026. Adult prices listed on the event site are:
- Aquathlon solo (Full or Half): $45 early bird, $50 normal, $55 on the day
- Aquathlon team (Full or Half): $75 early bird, $90 normal, $105 on the day
- Run or swim events: $35 early bird, $40 normal, $45 on the day
Junior entries are cheaper, from $30. At the time of checking, the event page said registrations were “opening soon”, so keep an eye on the Freo Ocean Classic Run Swim Run page for the entry link.
Race morning at Leighton
The race day page lists check-in from 6:30am to 6:50am at the Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club rooms, where you collect your timing band and cap, with a race briefing at 7:05am. The published schedule has the full aquathlon starting at 7:15am and the half at 7:30am, with the last finishers expected around 9:15am. Confirm the times closer to the day, as they may be updated.
Getting there is easy without a car. North Fremantle train station is about a six-minute walk away, and parking is limited, so the train is the low-stress option. There’s a club canteen selling breakfast afterwards, which is reason enough to stay for presentations.
What is the Swanny Ocean Classic?
The Swanny Ocean Classic is a point-to-point ocean event run by the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club. The course goes from Cottesloe Beach, starting in front of the Indiana Tearooms, to Swanbourne Beach, finishing in front of the Swanbourne patrol tower. Proceeds go to the club’s volunteer surf lifesavers.
The Swanny Ocean Classic website says the 2027 event is planned for Saturday 6 February 2027, with a 2km swim and a 2km run. The organisers have dropped the SUP and racing mal divisions for 2027 to give swimmers more room with extra swim waves.
Swanny Ocean Classic key details
- Swim: a 2km water start, with swimmers grouped into waves by their nominated swim time. Swimmers must be at least 12.
- Run: a 2km land-based run between the two beaches.
- Wetsuits and swim aids: allowed, but you’ll need to declare them and you won’t be eligible for awards.
- Gear: free trailers move bags from the start to the finish. There’s no transport back to Cottesloe, so carpool or plan your walk.
Prices for 2027 hadn’t been published when we checked. The event sold out in 2026 with no on-the-day entries, so it’s worth following its socials and entering early once registration opens.
Freo or Swanny: which ocean event suits you?
| Freo Ocean Classic Run Swim Run | Swanny Ocean Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Sat 14 Nov 2026 | Sat 6 Feb 2027 |
| Where | Leighton Beach, North Fremantle | Cottesloe to Swanbourne |
| Format | Run-swim-run, solo or team, or single legs | 2km swim or 2km run |
| Best for | Runners who want to add a swim, relay teams | Swimmers ready for a 2km point-to-point |
If you’re a runner first, Freo is the gentler entry point. You can run the path leg in a team and leave the swim to a mate who lives in the water. If you already swim at Cottesloe every week, the Swanny swim is a natural next step.
First ocean event? How to prepare
Most nerves before a first ocean event come from the swim, not the run. The good news is you can practise the tricky bits on any summer morning.
- Swim the beach before race day. Get in at Leighton or Cottesloe a few times in the weeks before so the water, the swell and the sighting feel familiar.
- Start at the back. Let faster swimmers go first and take your time getting in. Nobody is judging your pace.
- Practise running in wet gear. Run a few minutes straight after a dip so the soggy-shoe feeling isn’t a surprise.
- Use a team if the swim worries you. A relay is a great way to try the format without doing every leg.
- Train with a group. Coaching tips from Ocean Fit’s first-timer guide include joining an ocean swimming group, swimming with a buddy and scouting the course.
Find your people
Perth has plenty of free groups that already combine running and the ocean. Rise and Run Club Perth meets in Cottesloe on Friday mornings, and Cold Nips gathers for early cold plunges at different coastal spots. LiveLighter, the healthy-living campaign from Cancer Council WA and WA Health, has a handy list of free swimming communities around Perth, including groups at North Cottesloe and Port Beach. You’ll find more run clubs, times and meeting points in our Perth run club directory.
Stay safe in the water
Swim with others, stay between the flags at patrolled beaches and follow lifesaver instructions on the day. Before your practice swims, check the SharkSmart WA sea sense tips and app for recent sightings and beach closures. If you have a heart, breathing or other health concern, check in with your GP before your first ocean swim.
What to bring for a summer run-swim event
Early starts help, but a November or February morning on a Perth beach still gets warm quickly. Keep the kit list simple:
- Water-resistant sunscreen: apply before the run and top up after the swim. Options in our shop include Cancer Council Dry-Touch Sport SPF50+ and Invisible Zinc SPF50+ Sport.
- Sunglasses for the run legs and the walk back; we list a few polarised options such as Knockaround Premiums Sport.
- Goggles and a swim cap (the Freo event hands out caps at check-in).
- Shoes you don’t mind getting sandy, plus a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
- Water and electrolytes for after the finish, especially if it’s already hot.
Browse caps, belts, hydration and more in the Perth Running Clubs shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners do the Freo Ocean Classic run swim run?
Yes. The Half aquathlon is a 3km run, 1km swim and 1km beach run, and you can enter as a team so you only do one leg. There are also run-only and swim-only options if you’d rather keep it simple.
Do I need to be able to swim to enter?
Not for every option. Freo has stand-alone path runs (3km or 6km) and beach runs (1km or 2km), and the Swanny Ocean Classic has a 2km run. If you do enter a swim, make sure you’re comfortable swimming the full distance in open water.
Can I wear a wetsuit?
At the Swanny Ocean Classic, wetsuits and other swim aids are allowed but must be declared, and you won’t be eligible for awards. The Freo event page didn’t list wetsuit rules when we checked, so ask the organisers if it matters to you.
How much is entry to the Freo Ocean Classic run swim run?
Adult solo aquathlon entries are $45 early bird (until 9 November 2026), $50 normal and $55 on the day. Team entries start at $75 and single run or swim events at $35.
How do I get to Leighton Beach on race day?
North Fremantle train station is about a six-minute walk from the event. Parking is limited and restricted to marked areas, so arrive early if you drive.
Ready to give it a go?
Pick the event that suits you, grab a mate for a relay if you’re unsure, and get a few practice dips in before race day. Enter through the Freo Ocean Classic or Swanny Ocean Classic websites, find a beach-loving crew in our run club directory, and sort your sun-safe kit in the shop. More event guides are on our runners’ guides and blogs page.