Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine

The WILD RIVERS SPLASH DASH 5K 
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 plus a kid's DUCKY DASH

 

A 'cool' Run.  Chose SPLASH DASH 5k (if you want to get to plunge through the wild river before the finish line.) Or run the DRY RUN 5k (if preference is to not get wet)

It's your 'coolest' summer run/walk running race. With the coolest race BLING!  Choice of a custom event BEACH TOWEL or a custom event t-shirt, and a huge custom FINISHER MEDAL for all participants. 

Plus the chance to win Awesome Age divisions medal awards. 

A SUPER FUN event.  Make it competitive, or choose to cruise it and have great fun! The last 600 yards of the SPLASH DASH you get to 'DASH' through the lazy river in 2 1/2 feet of water, going with the current!

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You are also eligible for a discounted entry into WILD RIVERS for Sunday, August 23 only.  Participants get in for $39.99.  A ticket must be bought online in advance . 

The discount TICKET will be made available starting May 15, 2026

CODE will be activated here.  And , also sent out an email.

 USE code: SPLASHDASH for the price to drop from 79.99 to $39.99 when you check out online. https://wildrivers.com/companies/splash_dash/

 Show your bib at the gate. 

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WE are making this RACE A FOOD DRIVE!!!! 

EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST BRING AT LEAST 2 CAN GOODS OR $5 CASH donation FOR THE FOOD DRIVE .  The South County Outreach is an amazing NONPROFIT that serves over 400 people and families a month, providing nourishing ingredients and food items to make full and complete meals.  When people visit their Food Market, they are in control of the cart and what goes in it, just like in a local grocery store. Most needed items are: canned fruit, canned fish/meat, and jelly.

 

PICK your course!  IF you want to end the race running through the wild river (2 1/2 feet deep) and getting SPLASHED by its fountains?!  Sign up for SPLASH DASH.  If you are a dry lander and just want to run around the park (avoiding the WET part) sign up for the DRY RUN.  Both get separate sets of age division awards. The DRY RUN does 'cut' the course short, so we may weave you on a side loop at the end to make it a 3.1.  

EVERY PARTICIPANT RECEIVES: 

• A Custom Cast, Very ‘Cool, Huge , and Unique Finish Medal

• Custom Designed SPLASH DASH Beach Towel or race t-shirt. Your choice.

• Age division awards

• RFID Chip timing by Itz About Time (itzabouttime.com)

• AND BEST of ALL, the proceeds from Caren Ware Events helps spread health and hope to needs she RUNS into running around the world.

Enjoy the music, the refreshments, and each other!

 

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OFF THE COURSE by 9:30 and exit the park.  Age Division and overall awards begin promply at 8:45am for the overall winners and 9am for age division awards. The park will reopen to the public at 10am.  All runners and spectators will be exited by 9:30am from the park.  That gives you 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish the 5k course! 

 

CHECK OUT PATRIOTS AQUATICS WATER POLO CLUB & SWIM CLUB  They will have a booth at the event. 

This event supports WATER activity and Swimming Skills, VISIT THE PATRIOT'S Waterpolo club booth and learn about amazing swim lesson opportunities and to learn the sport and train for waterpolo.  They have the reputation of producing Junior Olympics! Become a champion in a sport!

  https://www.patriotaquatics.org/

 

VISIT THE SOUTH COUNTY OUTREACH booth and learn how your food or cash donation helps .

https://www.sco-oc.org/

Caren Ware Events are designed for Every BODY and EVERYBODY! So Cal's BEST THEMED RUNNING EVENTS.  

RACE LOCATION: 
WILD RIVERS WATERPARK, 10000 Great Park Blvd Irvine, Ca, 92618  

PARKING:  WILD RIVERS usually charges $10 to park.  But has offered to wave parking if we help with the food drive. an to carpool. Limited additional parking is available in Great Parks.  You can also be dropped off in their drop off lane.

COURSE:  Course runs around the perimeter of WILD RIVERS parking lot on a 2 loop course,  then enters the park through the back employee parking area.   It will weave through the entire water park and END in the 2 1/2 foot deep WILD RIVER to finish back at the START/FINISH ARCH. (DRY LAND option also.  You must make this choice prior to the run and have a DRY LAND bib on) 

The DUCKY DASH STARTS /FINISHES on the BRIDGE and runs THROUGH the kiddie pool wading area. (We MADE sure we have access this year.) Diaper Dash runs to it and splashes in, and back. 400 is one lap through kiddie pool. 1/2 mile is 2 laps.  All kids get towels or shirts and a finisher medal. 

EARLY RACE PACKET PICK is Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10am to 1 pm at Road Runner Sports, 24291 Avenida de La Carlota, Laguna Hills, Ca. 92653.  This is Not mandatory. You may pick up for others.

 You may also pick up bib and shirt or towel at race site on race day beginning at 6:30am.

  Canned goods and donations will be accepted on race day. . 

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
6:30 am  Registration OPENS.  Canned goods at donations tent at the gate.  Registration tents INSIDE the main entrance. 
               Towels or shirts are given with bibs at registration.  Medals when you finish
7:45 am Duck Dash for kids.  3 distances.  You choose 200 yards. 400 years. 1/2 mile. 

               Does go through the water.  Through or to the Kiddie Pool. Start and FINISH is on the Bridge                 to the left of the registration tents.
8:00 am Mass Start SPLASH DASH 5k/ DRY RUN 5k
9:00 am Start of 5k AWARDS CEREMONY BEGINS through until 10am.  Takes place outside the exit behind the FINISH LINE.

REFRESHMENTS:
Bring EXTRA CASH FOR SPECIALTY
COFFEES, PANCAKES (FULL PLATE $15 EACH) 

FINISHER MEDALS TO every Finisher

AGE DIVISION AWARDS:
Please make sure your BIB is pinned on the front and visible to our volunteers. 
5-year Age Spans:  3 deep with 5-year age spans:  5k and 5 Mile  1-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-
24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,55-59 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over 

(for SPLASH DASH)

10 Year age spans for DRY RUN.  1-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 plus
Top 3 Overall Trophies to Males and Females for both DRY RUN 5k and SPLASH DASH 5k
Plus award to Oldest and Youngest finisher.

RESTROOMS: Are available inside Wild Rivers Water Park.

NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THIS RACE COURSE OR IN THE WATERPARK.

Strollers are allowed, but must stay toward the back and you must sign up for the DRY RUN.  They cannot be left at the entrance of the Wild River.  They have to be taken to the finish line.

Young children can wear floaties if you choose to carry them all the way on the course. 

 

 YOU MUST BE AWARE THAT ANY PHONES OR ELECTRONICS WILL GET WET. It's your responsibility to keep them in something waterproof.  Use at your own risk. 

HAVE FUN SPLASHING!!