The Course
Stage 7
2.4-mile individual, 4.8-mile relay, 1.2-mile and 500m Swim Starts
All participants except the 1.2-mile and 10k swimmers are required to complete two (2) laps of Stage 7. 1.2-mile swimmers complete only one (1) lap. 10k swimmers complete three (3) laps. Participants should exit the water just north of the stage, run up the beach, around the tent and re-enter the water on the south side of the tent. (See the diagram below of Stage 7.)
Note that the swim loop is a clockwise swim.
(Click for larger image.)
The 2012 Distance Swim Challenge features an all-new family friendly 500m Fun Swim and Kids Splash, plus 7 distance events including: 1.2-mile, 2.4-mile, 4.8-mile, 10k 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.
Individual Division Course Options
500 Meter (Fun Swim)
This event starts and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29. Participants swim out and back around a buoy.
1.2 Mile Individual Course
The 1.2-mile course is an out and back swim that starts and finishes in Venice Beach between the Navy St. Lifeguard Tower and Santa Monica Tower 29.
2.4 Mile Individual Course
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 Mile Individual Course
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.
10k Individual Course
The 10k 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. This event starts as a point-to-point swim and finishes with loops of the 1.2-mile course. Participants will swim five total legs, each 1.2-miles in distance. Three of the five total legs will be the 1.2-mile loop at the Navy St. Tower. At the end of each leg, participants must swim to the beach and check in with medical staff before proceeding.
12.6 Mile Individual Course
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. A kayaker/paddle board escort is required for this distance.
Relay Division Course Options
4.8-Mile Relay Course (2-4 swimmers)
The 4.8-mile relay includes four legs, all of which are 1.2-miles distance. The course starts 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.
12.6-Mile Relay Course (2-8 swimmers)
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, check in with medical staff and hand off their timing chip to their teammate before proceeding. A kayaker/paddle board escort is required for teams of 4 or less.
