16th Annual 8k-5k Weekend Challenge

Friday, June 3rd 2022: Competitive and not so competitive fun begins at the Community Beer Garden/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., June 1st.

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

Saturday, June 4th, 2022: 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 5:15 am – 5:45 am and the 3.2-mile competitive swim starts at 7:30 am with the Fun Swim starting at approximately 8:00 am. 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 registration –registration ends Thursday, June 10, 2021. 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