Little Penguin Dash

The Little Penguin Dash is a junior biathlon for 7 to 14-year-olds, with a beach run of 500m and inshore swim of 150m for 7 to 10-year-olds or a beach run of 1km and inshore swim of 300m for 11 to 14-year-olds – completed within the Cowes foreshore of Phillip Island and run in age-group heats.

This event is suited to young athletes of all ages and abilities, as the swims are tide-assisted within Western Port Bay.

All ages will put their runners on in their age’s transition area (7–10-year-olds near the toilets, 11–14-year-olds at the pier triangle), then wave to cheering crowds as they run under the event finish arch on The Esplanade in front of the pub to be presented with their medal.

• Marshal at the start on Cowes Beach, east of the pier, 15 minutes before the race.
• Register at the Race Centre (North Pier Hotel) and receive your race number and swim cap.
• Little Penguin Dash is participation-focused. Entrants are not timed, and places will not be awarded.

Once the heat is completed, one parent may retrieve gear from the transition area. Time will be tight, and the area will be congested, so one parent should be ready to retrieve it once all is clear.

Cowes Beach is not affected by the strong off-oceanic currents, so this is a haven for swimming and other beach activities.

If coming as a spectator, explore the wonderful seaside setting, which boasts a tranquil atmosphere with adjacent streets lined with chains of restaurants and shops.