The 17th Annual Beaufort River Swim - 8k-5k Weekend Challenge

May 19th and 20th,  2023

2 Challenges including Run/Swim/Run | Swim/Run 

PLUS 3.2-Mile Competitive Beaufort River Swim, 1-Mile Swim, 8K Competitive Road Race. or 5k Road Race after either swim distance. Something for everyone!

Scroll down for more information & click Race Info tab to learn all the details!

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE WARDLE FAMILY YMCA'S LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM!

Interested in sponsoring the 2023 BRS +5K/8K? Please contact Denice Davis, Senior Program Director. d.davis@wardlefamilyymca.org or call 843-521-1904.

Friday, May 19th, 2023: Competitive and not so competitive fun begins at the Sands Beach in Port Royal, SC.  With live music, food trucks, and plenty of libations including non – alcoholic beverages. Note that all participants will receive a race bag.

7pm: 8K Competitive Run through Port Royal. This is a stand- alone race as well as the first leg of the 2-day Challenge 1 and Challenge 3. All participants will receive (1) drink ticket. Note there is no day of registration- registration ends Wed., May 17.

Awards: Top Female & Male 8K winners plus top Age Group winners in the 8K will receive an award.

Saturday, May 20th, 2023: Todays the day to hit the water! It’s the Beaufort River Swim! Meet at the downtown Beaufort marina parking lot which is the end point of both swims. This is the staging area for swim and run events today – please look for directional signage for check-in to receive your timing chip (3.2-mile swimmer and relay team participants only) and be marked up. Parking is free until 12 noon.

Check-in begins at 5:30 am - 5:45 am and the 3.2-mile competitive swim starts at 7:30am with the Fun Swim starting at approximately 8:00am. Please click Race Info tab for additional details regarding check in.

YMCA staff will transport via bus all swimmers to their respective starting points (Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina for the 3.2-Mile swimmers and the BMH dock for the 1-Mile fun swimmers).  YMCA staff will bring your numbered race bag BACK to the downtown marina parking lot where you can retrieve it (please do not leave valuables in your race bag!)

Note that there is no same day registration –registration ends Thursday, May 18th, 2023. The Fun Swim is NOT timed so you will not receive a timing chip, but you are required to be marked with your number and wear the swim cap in your race bag.  3.2-Mile competitive swimmers will receive a timing chip, be marked with your number and wear the swim cap supplied in your race bag.

3.2 Mile Swimmers: You must swim up to, onto and run/walk up the boat ramp and over the timing mat to finish the race!

If you are participating in Challenge 1 or 2, your 5K run starts immediately after the 3.2-Mile Swim. There will be a transition area marked with signage adjacent to the swim finish.

There will also be a portable shower area, small towels and water available for all swimmers adjacent to the swim finish line.

Both swims will be WITH the tide (not against it!). Large yellow buoys will mark the swim route and the finish at the boat ramp is marked with a large string of pool ‘noodles’ as well as event safety personnel on SUP, kayaks and lifeguards on the day dock.

5K Run: You can sprint, you can jog, or you can walk this 5K and enjoy the scenery as you leave the park, traverse Bay Street, cross the Woods swing bridge down to Meridian Road, turn around and return the way you came. There is no stand-alone 5 K race. 5K runners are part of the Challenges.

All participants will receive a race bag!

Awards:  Award presentation will be held at the downtown marina parking lot area immediately after the 5K ends.

3.2 Mile Beaufort River Swim: Top Female & Male finishers plus top age group finishers

Challenge 1 (8K/3.2-Mile Swim/5K): Top Female & Male finishers plus top age group finishers

Challenge 2 (3.2-Mile Swim/5K): Top Female & Male finishers plus top age group finishers

8K Race Start Time: 7 PM EST
Check in starting at 6 PM EST
Fees:

8K Run
March 1-May 1 : $35
May 1- May 18 1st: $40

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Beaufort River Swim 1-Mile Swim Information:
Date:  Sat., May 20, 2023
1-Mile Swim Start Time: After competitive swimmers have passed the BMH dock -Approx. 7:45am
1-Mile Swim Start Location: Beaufort Memorial Hospital Dock
Check-in Location & Time: Downtown Beaufort Marina starts at 6:30 am

Last bus leaves for Fun Swim at 7:15am
Address: 106 Bay Street , Beaufort, SC 29902      

Fun Swim participants must be at least 10 years old.

Beaufort River Swim 3.2-Mile Competitive Swim Information:
Date:  Sat., May 20, 2023
3.2 Mile Swim Start Time: 7:30
Swim Start Location: Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina Dock
Check-in Location & Time: Downtown Beaufort Marina starts at 5:30 am - 5:45 am. Last bus leaves for 3.2-Mile Race at 6:33- 6:45am
Address: 1006 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902      

Competitive swim participants must be at least 13 years old.

Challenge 1 Information:

Participate in the 8K (May 19); the 3.2-Mile Swim (May 20) and the 5K (May 20)

8K start time is 7 pm on May 19 at the Sands Beach in Port Royal. Check in starting at 6 p.m.

3.2 Mile Swim Start Time: 7:30am on May 20

Swim Start Location: Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina Dock

Check-in Location & Time: Downtown Beaufort Marina starts at 5:30am- 5:45 am. Last bus leaves for 3.2-Mile Race at 6:45am

Address: 1006 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902      

5K Run: Immediately after the 3.2-Mile Swim.

Challenge 2 Information:

Participate in the 3.2-Mile Swim (May 20 ) and the 5K (May 20)

3.2 Mile Swim Start Time: 7:30am on May 20

Swim Start Location: Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina Dock

Check-in Location & Time: Downtown Beaufort Marina starts at 5:30 am - 5:45am. Last bus leaves for 3.2-Mile Race at 6:45am.

Address: 1006 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902      

5K Run: Immediately after the 3.2-Mile Swim.

Beneficiaries: YMCA's Learn to Swim Program

To Visit our Fundraising Page & Donate to the 2023 Beaufort River Swim Fundraiser CLICK HERE!

There is no same-day registration! Last day to register is May 18, 2023
​Note that participants registered after May 1 are NOT guaranteed to receive a t-shirt; available on a first come, first serve basis for day of registrants.  
 
 
Additional Information:

8k and Challenge Packet Pick-Up -Race bags pick up:  Pick up day prior (May 18) at the YMCA at Port Royal (3 pm - 7 pm) or day of race at the - Sands Beach Rd. Port Royal no later than 5pm.

3.2 and 5k Packet Pick Up - Pick up day prior (May 19) at the YMCA  at Port Royal (3 pm - 7pm) or day of race at the Downtown Marina at check-in starting at 5:45am
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Race Day Check-In: Downtown Beaufort Marina starting at 5:30 am - 5:45am.  All 3.2 Mile Race entrants must checked-in by 6:30am. Please allow at least 15 minutes to check-in on race day! Even if you have picked up your race bag already, you must check-in on race day to get your timer and be marked up. Note that only 3.2-mile swimmers will get timers; Fun Swim participants are NOT timed, but must check in. Last bus for 3.2-mile swimmers leaves the downtown Beaufort Marina parking lot at 6:45am

Transport to Start: All entrants (and only entrants) who are swimming will be transported to the Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina or Beaufort Memorial dock for the race start by the YMCA. YMCA Staff will bring your race bags back to the downtown marina for pick up after the race. They will be marked with your number so remember your number!

Sands Beach/Port Royal Running Course (8K): 

Downtown Beaufort Running Course (5K):

Swim Race Course: Our course is the unique estuary called the Beaufort River, starting at the Safe Harbor Port Royal Landing Marina, winding around the curve, and finishing at the day dock, adjacent to the Beaufort Waterfront Park, with spectators watching the finish line. The course is approximately 3.2 miles swimming with the tide. The water temp is mild to warm, usually upper 70's. The surface wave conditions range from calm to choppy at times depending upon the weather. 

Race Safety: The Beaufort Search and Rescue Squadron will be providing the primary safety for our event. DNR will have boating traffic cut off along the route. A fleet of kayakers and other safety vessels will monitor the course to ensure the swimmers' safety.  Swimmers must follow directions of safety personnel. Please review swim course and running course prior to the event!

Awards: 

8K Stand Alone Running Race on May 19, 2023

There will be an award ceremony after the 8K event. Awards will be posted on the RunSignUp.com site 

·                     Overall male and female winner of the 8K plus age group winners

Challenge Awards:  Award presentation will be held at the downtown marina parking lot area immediately after the 5K ends.

·         3.2 Mile Beaufort River Swim: Top Female & Male finishers plus 1st place age group finishers

·         Challenge 1 (8K/3.2-Mile Swim/5K): Top Female & Male finishers plus first place age group finishers

·         Challenge 2 (3.2-Mile Swim/5K): Top Female & Male finishers plus first place age group finishers

·        

Wet-suits: Are allowed in either swim but will make you ineligible for awards in the competitive 3.2-mile swim or in any Challenge.

Fees: Entry Fee is non-refundable including in the event of inclement weather, water conditions or issues beyond our control. Fees include t-shirt, swim cap, and trophy for the winners as noted.