Arriving at Aquathon

New to the area? Check out the VISITOR PAGE for travel/accommodation advice.

Main site – Wollongong Boat harbour (Central area) Cliff Road- access via Harbour street.

Registration Check In– Old Court House. Across road from harbour start.

Includes late entry. Collect race chip, swim cap, run bib, merchandise

Loads of nearby parking.

Marine parade/Endeavour loads parking bays!

Plus use nearby streets as Harbour st, Smith st, Corrimal st, Cliff Road. Park and walk from North Beach (1km along blue mile), City centre (lower/south end), Parking stations near council library and Wollongong Entertainment Centre and Town Centre (600m-1.5m walk).

Beaton Park – loads parking spots. 1.2km walk.

RACE NUMBER – E-TICKET

*IMPORTANT*: If you entered before 2pm 25/1/24 you are a ‘PRE-ENTRY’ if you entered after 2pm on 25/1/24 you are classified as a ‘ON DAY ‘ entry- Read below.

• All participants will be allocated a race number (Tag teams one number). This number is also your time chip (ankle velcro strap) that is provided to you on event day at registration.
• You CANNOT swap an entry. Insurance covers only the registered person- see changes in next container.
• Parents can collect for children.
• Aquathon team – one person collect.
• Aquathon- you also receive a swim cap
• Kids Get free Aquathon sticker and sponsor goody pack.
• Fun Run- Run bib.
• Medals for everyone at finish line.
• Awards, prizes, sponsor give aways, stalls, see below.

When are numbers issued?

PRE-ENTRIES.

A E-ticket Race Number is issued via email (the one you registered with)  THURSDAY 25th JANUARY 2024 (AFTER 4pm)  from Register Now.

Didn’t receive your race number?

Don’t panic! And no need to notify us (we can’t respond due to time constraints. sorry). Go to normal check in for your event. Have your paid receipt from register now ready just in case. Say your name and event and the volunteer will look up your number and give you your time chip- easy! If there is still an issue you will be directed to a technical helper to sort the entry out.

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Location: The Old Court house – 1 Harbour street Wollongong. Straight across road from Belmore Basin on corner Cliff and harbour streets.

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REGISTRATION TIMES

• Fun run 6.30am – 7.50am
• Long Aqua: 6.30am-8am
• Kids/Mini Aqua: 7.30am-9am (mini 8.45)
• Short Aqua: 8am-9.30am
• Please try to assist by adhering to times .

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Collect Race/Entry Pack

1. Go to your event ENTRY TABLE at registration located inside the Old Court House.

2. Show your race number, or paid receipt & name- collect race time chip, and swim cap/run bib

Didn’t receive your race number?

Don’t panic! And no need to notify us (we can’t respond due to time contraints. sorry). Go to normal check in for your event. Have your paid receipt from register now ready just in case. Say your name and event and the volunteer will look up your number and give you your time chip- easy! If there is still an issue you will be directed to a technical helper to sort the entry out.

ON DAY ENTRY (You paid/registered after 2pm on 25/1 to any time before your event start on 26/1)

1. Pay online

2. Get your race number via email (1-2 min max)

3. Go to the LATE ENTRY TABLE at registration located on the grass North side of Old Court House (don’t go inside!)

4. Show your race number, or paid receipt & name- collect race time chip, and swim cap/run bib

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TIME CHIP INSTRUCTIONS

• Aquathon- Race timing velcro is worn on left ankle. Must be handed back at end of the event (finish line).
• Aquathon team- swimmer begins with velcro and than swaps to runner at end of swim as a relay baton (left ankle to left ankle!)
• Parents can help under 8’s
• Fun Run- Use run bib with time chip.

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It’s ON ALL WEATHER so be prepared.

*Only extreme weather / high risk may force course changes or last cancellation as per event terms and wavier.

Listen to announcer instructions and refer event schedule below

• Timing chips record your time.
• Must be worn on left ankle.
• Take out of envelope provided at registration and place on left ankle as instructed.
• Ensure velcro strap is firm but not super tight – it’s your responsibility to place velcro on securely.
• Failure to wear velcro on left ankle will not record a time and forfeit results.
• Teams: Swimmer begins with velcro, at change area simply swap velcro time chip to runners left ankle!
• Lost time chip incurs $25 replacement fee.

Aquathon is planned to run in near all weather and has successfully done so in past 23 years.

• Plan for an ALL WEATHER EVENT.
• Plan for the conditions- Warm, hot, wet, cold, windy and all in between.
• Swim conditions – read swim section
• Event director and safety officers can modify, change or cancel the event at any time without notice.
• Event is sanctioned by Triathlon Australia, follows the risk protocols as well as local council, Police, and regulatory bodies requirements.
• Due to the nature of the event and of the many months of planning, significant investment and event day resources there can be No re-run, and a firm no refund policy applies.
• All participants are required to read, and accept the event waiver and cancellation policy at time of registration.
• All participants must follow any Police or emergency directions and follow the event race director ruling.

For Aquathon participants, the “Transition” is where you place your running gear / towel and change from the swim to the run.

NORTH SIDE OF THE HARBOUR – KIDS/MINI AQUA

SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE HARBOUR – LONG / SHORT AQUA

• Each event distance has a designated transition area.
  
• Refer to site map
• Keep gear to minimal – just what your need to do the event. Towel, run shoes/gear.
• Place run gear/towel on side of concourse or on grass spaced out.
• Avoid personal belongings.
  
• Remember where you placed your gear! – maybe use a bright towel or get a sight mark to remember.
  
• NO parents/public allowed in transition after events start (unless 1 helper for kids U10)

• Must have run bib, paid and registered.
• First event of the day.
• Fast runners at front, younger kids, walkers at rear.
• 5km out and back along blue mile (KEEP RIGHT!! Until sign at lagoon restuarant 1.5km mark)
• Fully supported by road closure, course marshals, first aid, water on course, finisher medals, and awards and prizes

INSTRUCTIONS

7.45am. Go to Cliff road IN FRONT OF FINISH ARCH for a 8am start. Listen to announcer safety briefing.

Check out event page for event details.

STAGGERED STARTS GROUPS OF 2!

• All swims start on NORTHERN END shoreline of Wollongong Harbour.
• Elite Long Aqua M/F – 1st Wave
• Stronger swimmers first, – self seed best you can.
• 8.15am – Long Aqua Male. – 900m two laps
• 8.35am- Long Aqua Female and Teams (plus any Mix/friend gender start..) 900m two laps
• 9am: Mini Aqua – All ages/gender self seed start. Event timed but not awarded. ( 200m lap)
• 9.15am Kids 10-12 years (200m) Boys, Girls
• 9.25am Kids U10’s – 120m swim. All (self seed, parents assist) youngest at back. Parents can swim with kids back of pack.
• 9.45am Short Aqua: 400m one lap. U18s M/F, 50+ M/F, 18-49 M, 18-49F, Teams (can mix gender but aim keep as listed)

INSTRUCTIONS

• ‘Walk to north end of harbour where the start flags are.
• Listen swim safety briefing
• Ensure time chip and swim cap are worn
• Form lines of two as per start times above.
• Self seed, aim faster swimmers first.
• Electronic timing starts when you cross start line .
• 2-5 seconds between pairs.
•  Listen to swim referee for instructions
• Start times as above- wait to be called to swim area.
• Each swim course is set before the start, with large visible markers.
• swim course as per maps but may change due to safety at event director discretion.
• Harbour Maritime Licence for exclusive water use and Maritime Officer in boat at head of harbour.
• 10+ experience water safety crew
• The warm up area is furthest small beach north of swim start (avoid swimming inside the course area).
• Swimmers must adhere to all safety regulations and event referee instructions.
• Parent/guardian can swim next to child U10.
• No safety aids unless with written / prior approval
• Wetsuits are optional no need to ask permission.

Courses: Refer to each event page for course and maps. 

Water conditions:  Water temperature is normally a very pleasant 21-22 degrees. Wollongong harbour is a relatively small recreational boat harbour, with swimmers, paddlers and also yachts and small fishing fleet. Whilst mostly sheltered from elements it can be exposed to wind, rain, and storm water as per most beaches, along with tidal movements. Generally rated as excellent to good water quality that can change due to weather. Swim will be on in near ALL conditions, but can be modified / cancelled if more very high-extreme risk as per event waiver and cancellation policy.

Teams complete the Aquathon as a relay of two -one person is the swimmer and one the runner.  Double the fun.

• Same course as individuals
• Swimmer starts with time chip on left ankle
• Swimmer exits at ‘team change’ (Refer site map) and swap timer to runner ankle.
• If not worn on ankle or chip not placed on correctly – no time, no result, no award.
• Both get finisher medals and go in barrel draw

‘Kids Aqua’ is all about fun and having a go!

YES- You PELI-CAN!

READ ALL ABOVE plus..

SITE MAP

• TRANSITION AREA  is on the furthest NORTH OF THE CONCOURSE!
• Listen to the announcer.
• Briefing is on shore line at swim start at 9am
• Start times 9.15am 10-12, 9.25amn U10- READ swim container for instructions
  
• Where – Look for swim start and flags on shore directly below kids transition
• Line up per age group flags
• Swim cap and time chip on
  
• Team runners – your ‘tag’ is swapping the swimmer time chip from their ankle to yours- like a relay baton.
• Team runners meet your swimmer at the TOP OF THE KIDS STAIRS transition area
  
• Parent U10’s you can swim/take part next to your child but leave to ‘back of pack’ to avoid other children
• Parents – avoid waiting in the transition- leave this for kids.
• Parents can help U8’s in change area only

SWIM

• *Please make sure your child/ren can swim the required distance unaided prior to registering to take part.
• The swim is held in close proximity to shore within Wollongong harbour with loads of water safety. 
• Two children at a time.
  
• Weaker swimmers to the back.
• Parents can support (swim) with their children.
  
• No safety aids unless with permission (email event organiser)
•  Loads of lifesavers on hand and cheering supportive crowd
  

Transition- that’s where you change from swim to put joggers on for the run!

• Exit the swim, run up the same stairs to your ‘transition’ – where you placed your run gear.
• TIP- Place a bright towel or something to remind you where you placed your run shoes/gear.
• Parents – KEEP OUT (unless for kids U8)

Run

• All kids run out and back along the safe flat ‘blue-mile’ path- follow the leader
• At the 1km mark (north wollongong beach/surf club) look for a water station area and sign saying KIDS TURN.
• Don’t go past the water station!!
  
• Go around the sign and run back the same way to the finish line!
• Listen to course marshals
• At Finish line run under the arch grab your medal, get a drink or fruit and go to your parent/s/helper!

**Parents/carer please ensure to quickly collect child/ren post event.

MAKE SURE TO READ UP ON THE KIDS EVENT PAGE MAPS AND MORE.

• Finish Line Announcer
• Finisher Medals
• Finish Line photography
• First Aid
• Refreshments
• Sponsor stalls- MMJ, Peoplecare, Horizon Bank, Skin check for skin cancer,  give aways and more!!!

• Water safety
• Medical
• Run marshals
• Event staff
• Closed roads
• All key approvals and permits

ROLLING AWARD COLLECTION.

1. Results: Go to mulitsporttiming for Live PROVISIONAL RESULTS (provisional awards)

2. Check your event page for age/team categories

3. Check awards

4. Collect your awards

Fun Run and Aquathon category gender and age and team winners are called out and asked to attend the nominated area to collect – this occurs after each event as per the following times:

• 9.15am- Fun Run
• 9.45am – Long Aqua
• 10.15am – Kids Aqua
• 11am – Short Aqua

 Where?

Activate Branded Marquee near exit of recovery area

Show proof of your position (via online result) and collect medal/award. (We can only verify based on live results at the time. Any dispute will be managed after the event. please contact the team via email).

PRIZES!

See each distance for age/awards and overall.

SPOT PRIZES- EVERYONE GOES INTO THE DRAW ANNOUNCED POST EVENT ON AQUATHON SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE

• 2 x Skydive the beach  x  tandem jump
• 3 x Endurance Recovery compression boots!
• 1 x Treeetops adventure Park family pass
• Diggies $50 voucher
• Jamberoo Action park passes x 2

STALLS & GIVE AWAY’S

• MMJ stall and  give away’s
• Horizon Bank stall and give away’s
• Skin checks, sun cancer checks
• Peoplecare Health fund
• r21 fitness and active wear

RESULTS:

How did you go? Click HERE

PIC’S

Post event be sure to check out our huge social media feed for even day snaps – will you feature?

Finish Line official pictures: CLICK HERE for view and purchase HERE