The Course
The 2011 Distance Swim Challenge offers a 500m Fun Swim and 6 distance events, including: 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 and 12.6-mile individual races, and a 4.8 or 12.6-mile relay. With multiple starting points between Manhattan Beach and Venice, all races finish in historical Venice Beach.
Race Day Schedule – Sunday August 21st, 2011
6:00 AM – Packet Pickup opens at Expo – 1.2 & 2.4-mile distances only!
6:20 AM – 12.6-mile heats start*
6:30 AM – 4.8-mile heats start*
7:00 AM – 2.4-mile heats start*
7:30 AM – Expo Opens to Public
8:45 AM – 1.2-mile heats start*
9:50 AM – 500m Fun Swim (coed) start*
10:15 AM – Fun Splash (kids 12 and under) start*
11:00 AM – Awards
1:00 PM – Expo Closes
5:00 PM – Last Sweep of Water - Race complete
Individual Swimmer Options
Full distance:
12.6 miles
4.8 miles
2.4 miles
1.2 miles
1.2 Miles
The 1.2-mile course starts and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29.
2.4 Miles
The 2.4-mile course starts and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. Participants will swim two loops of the 1.2-mile course. At the end of each loop, participants must swim to the beach and check in with medical staff before proceeding.
4.8 Miles
The 4.8-mile course starts in Marina del Rey at the Ketch St. Lifeguard Tower – just south of the Venice Beach Pier – and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. Participants will swim four total legs, each 1.2-miles in distance. At the end of each leg, participants must swim to the beach and check in with medical staff before proceeding.
12.6 Miles
The 12.6-mile course starts on the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. Participants will swim eight total legs, each between 1.2 and 2.4-miles in distance. At the end of each leg, participants must swim to the beach and check in with medical staff before proceeding.
Relay Swimmer Options
12.6-mile Relay (2-8 swimmers)
4.8-mile Relay (2-4 swimmers)
High School, College, Corporate and Club Challenge divisions are in available in each relay distance!
4.8-Mile Relay
The 4.8-mile relay includes four legs, all of which are 1.2-miles distance. The course begins in Marina del Rey at the Ketch St. Lifeguard Tower – just south of the Venice Beach Pier – and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. At the end of each leg, participants must swim to the beach and hand off their timing chip to their teammate before proceeding.
Due to high demand, we've opened up an additional event within the Relay division that allows corporations to claim fame! Be sure to register your team today! When you register for the 4.8 or 12.6-mile relay, be sure to note you're a corporate team.
12.6-Mile Relay
The 12.6-mile relay includes eight legs each between 1.2 and 2.4-miles in distance. The course begins on the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. At the end of each leg, participants must swim to the beach and check in with medical staff before proceeding.
