THE inaugural North Cott Splash’n’Dash proved its popularity with people of ages last Saturday, attracting 352 participants from as far afield as Queensland.
The community event offered a distance for all ages, with a 50m swim and 250m run for kids 6 and above, 150m swim and 500m run for those 10 and above, and a challenging 1km swim and 1km run for the older and more daring competitors.
The event was organised by the North Cottesloe Primary School (NCPS) Parents and Committee (P&C) to raise money for the school, as well as MelanomaWA.
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READ NOWP&C president Kate Wood said the first Splash’n’Dash was a great success.
“Congratulations to all participants and especially to those NCPS kids and their families that took part,” she said.
“Whether it was in the short, medium or long course it was fantastic to see the determination on so many faces, the proud smiles at the finish line and most importantly everyone having fun, which was the spirit of the event.
“There were six year olds doing the short course with their parents, some swimming in the ocean for the first time, through to super star athletes who battled it out in the long course.”
Christchurch Grammar School’s Harry Hewitt won the long course in a time of 19 minutes 42 seconds, and Queen of the Rottnest Channel Jamie Bowler was first female across the line in 21 minutes 11 seconds.
Bowler has had a successful couple of months in the water, finishing as the first woman across the line at the Rottnest Swim in February, and part of the winning team in last month’s Port to Pub Swim.
“The atmosphere on the beach was amazing, from the warm up Zumba through to the big crowds of kids who ran the final leg with long course participants,” Mrs Wood said.
“Hundreds of people gathered on the beach to cheer the competitors to the line.
“It was a wonderful community event for every age and ability, and the committee has already started planning next year!”
The event raised around $10,000, which will be used for P&C initiatives and donated to MelanomaWA.