Fast & Furious 5K

Welcome to the 1st Annual Fast & Furious 5K, presented by French Creek Racing!

This swim was created to separate our 5K race from the Charles Bender Memorial Swim & Relay in the Fall.

Parking and directions: Use the GPS address - 1400 S. Trooper Rd., Norristown, PA 19403.  There is plenty of space available in this parking lot.  From the lot, walk south (away from the Schuylkill River Trail) down the asphalt path toward the river.  After you cross the road, make a left and walk downstream (east) for about 200 yards until you'll see our launch area on your right.  Swimmers and kayakers may drop off equipment at the launch area.  Please keep your loading time to a maximum of 10 minutes.  Absolutely no parking in front of the launch area after 7:00AM.  Upon arrival, check in at our registration table, mark your numbers, and take a cap.

Directions: Use the GPS address - 93 West Indian Lane, Norristown, PA 19403.  You can also park at Arrive Valley Forge and walk to the property in less than a quarter mile using the Schuylkill River Trail.

Swimming all downstream for 5K, starting at 93 West Indian Lane and finishing at the Upper Merion Boathouse.  We will take you back to the starting area by boat as quickly as possible.  You may have to wait up to an hour for your return shuttle.  We will have water, gels, and only basic nutrition items at the finish line.  All 5K swimmers MUST either have their own kayaker, OR wear a New Wave Swim Buoy.

Schedule:
Thursday 5/1 at midnight - Online registration closes.
Saturday 5/3 8:00AM - 5K swimmers start from 93 West Indian Lane
Saturday 5/3 10:00AM - Finish time cutoff.
Saturday 5/3  11:00AM - Awards ceremony.

There are no refunds and no rain date for this event.  Any entries would be deferred to the following year's event, or to another FCR event of your choice.

Custom awards will be given to the top 3 M/F in each race.

All swimmers should follow the channel markers near 93 West Indian Lane.  This is mandatory due to water depth.

5K swim will start at 93 West Indian Lane, Norristown, PA 19403 and swim all downstream until the finish at the dock at the Upper Merion Boathouse.

Please review the course map for more detail:
Fast and Furious 5K will finish at the Upper Merion Boathouse.

All individuals should carry everything they need on their kayaks.  You may forgo use of a kayak if and only if you elect to wear a New Wave Swim Buoy.  We have them available for purchase in advance.  Wetsuits will only be allowed if the water temperature is below 68 degrees Farenheit.

Cutoff time will be 2 hours, or 10AM, at the latest.  Bags may be left at the starting line, but French Creek Racing is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Restrooms: No restroom facilities onsite.  The nearest restroom facility is at the Betzwood trailhead parking lot, about 600 meters away from our launch site.

PLEASE READ: INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
THIS EVENT OCCURS IN A RIVER SUBJECT TO FLOW AND RUNOFF CONDITIONS.  All races will be held rain or shine. Two things will cause the race to be postponed: 1) Lightning in the area, and 2) water quality due to stormwater runoff.  Ultimately, we will make a call by 2 hours prior to the first heat, and email registrants as well as posting it on our Facebook page at that time. If there is light rain during the event, we will still swim.  WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF CONDITIONS, BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE RIVER, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY RACE TO BE HELD AT THE TIME INDICATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY!

NO REFUNDS for any reason, including event cancellation.  If the event is cancelled, we will give you the option to defer your entry to next year's race, or another future FCR event.

BY REGISTERING TO RACE, ALL PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF SWIMMING LONG DISTANCES IN AN OPEN WATER ENVIRONMENT, AND CERTIFY THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THE SWIM.