Euroz Hartleys Port to Pub finishes with trio of female records, after flood of registrations

Swimmers smashed three female records at the Euroz Hartleys Port to Pub and female ultramarathon winner Josie Page says it came as a wave of relief to cross the finish line.

Some 1500 entrants — a record number — hit the water at Leighton Beach on Saturday morning, tackling either a 19.7km or a 25km crossing to Rottnest Island.

For some, the swim provided redemption after this year’s Rottnest Channel Swim had to be abandoned mid-race over dangerous weather concerns.

But Page — who had never swam the Port to Pub’s ultramarathon before — said Saturday’s conditions were ideal for swimmers.

“On the day we had probably perfect weather, not much swell and not much current,” she said.

“Swimming a 5km loop from Leighton to Cottesloe and back first was a little different.

“But I actually thoroughly enjoyed that because the sun was rising on the shoreline and it was really nice before heading out to Rotto.”

Page crossed the finish line in a final time of six hours and one minute, beating last year’s female ultramarathon winner Rebekah Weller, who finished with a time of 6:08.57.

Page initially thought she had fallen short of a record-breaking time when she made it to Rottnest.

“Crossing the finish line, I actually thought I just missed the record,” she said

“Until I’d gotten on to the sand and my dad was yelling at the finish line that I’d got the record.

“It was a huge moment of relief and yeah, quite a proud moment.”

The 25-year-old was joined in breaking records by the KC Australian duo Jaimee Traegar and Bianca Petite, as well as the four-team female category of Chelsea Gubecka, Bianca Monaco, Chantal Liew and Rebekah Weller, who also eclipsed last year’s record.

The 25km ultramarathon male winner was Callum Greenshields in a time of 5:51.

“It was really great to see a lot of the female records were beaten,” Page said.

The multi-race channel crossing entered its ninth year in 2024 and noted its large contingent of young swimmers, including seven 13-year-olds and 28 14-year-olds participating.

Seven swimmers in their 70s also took part.

Page — who works full-time in addition to her intensive training regime — told PerthNow recovery involved a couple of “sleep ins” and low impact training.

“I trained around nine to 10 times in the water a week,” she said.

“And then two strength and conditioning sessions as well.”

In September, the long distance swimmer will head to New York to participate in the 46km Manhattan Island swim.