LateRooms.com - Dive in with the Cole Classic swim in Sydney

LateRooms.com can announce that the Cole Classic ocean swim event, held at Manly Beach each year, may be of interest to those staying in accommodation in Sydney.

On February 7th, up to 2,000 swimmers will take to the seas to compete in the 2 km course that runs around Manly Bay.

If you are not brave enough to join the masses and dive in yourself, then you can still watch the event, which promises to be a memorable spectacle.

Anyone aged 13 or older is eligible to enter, with shorter courses available for older and younger participants.

This will be the 27th year that the event has been held at the Sydney beach and is described as "a truly iconic event".

Last year, Shane Cross took first place in the men's race with a winning time of 21.52 minutes, while Stacey Hansford took top honours in the women's competition, crossing the finishing line in 21.59 minutes.

Spectators line the promenade to watch the intrepid participants battle it out among the bay's waves.

Anyone who wants to watch the first wave of swimmers will need to be up early, as competitors for the 1 km swim will take to the water at 08:30 (local time), while racers in the 2 km event will dive in at 10:00.