The 20th Annual Beaufort River Swim and 5K Run

🌊 The 20th Annual Beaufort River Swim and 5K Run

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026

🏊 Event Options

• 3.2-Mile Beaufort River Swim: A challenging swim in the Beaufort River.
• 1-Mile Swim: A shorter swim option for participants.
• 3.2-Mile Swim/5K Run: Combine both events for a full day of fitness.
• 1-Mile Swim/5K Run: A shorter combination option for athletes.
• Relay Option: Timed event but no awards given.

❤️ Beneficiary

All proceeds benefit the Wardle Family YMCA's Learn to Swim program!

📝 Sponsorship and Donations

Interested in sponsoring or donating to the 2026 Beaufort River Swim? Please contact Perri Flaherty at p.flaherty@wardleflamilyymca.org or (843) 379-1365.

🏁 Swim Race Course

Our 3.2 mile 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 mid 70's. The surface wave conditions range from calm to choppy at times depending upon the weather. Our 1 mile course follows this same path, but begins at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Dock. Both swims finish at the same location and the delayed start for the 1 mile swim allows all swimmers to have a safe event.

📦 Packet Pick-Up

• Race Bags: Available for pickup on Friday, May 30th at the YMCA at Port Royal from 3:00pm-7:00pm or on race day at check-in.
• Race Day Location: Meet at the Downtown Safe Harbor Beaufort Marina starting at 6:00 am.
• Check-In: All swimmers must check-in prior to boarding the buses.
• Transportation: YMCA staff will transport swimmers via bus to their respective starting points.

⏰ Race Day Check-In

All 3.2 Mile Race entrants must check-in by 7:15am. Check in begins at 6:00am. Please allow at least 15 minutes to check-in on race day! Even if you have already picked up your race bag, you must check-in on race day to receive your chip timer and body markings. You must wear the assigned swim cap in your race bag. Last bus for 3.2-mile swimmers leaves the downtown Beaufort Marina parking lot at 7:30am.

🏃 5K Run

You can sprint, you can jog, or you can walk this 5K and enjoy the scenery as you run along the waterfront park, cross the Woods Memorial swing bridge, turn right down Meridian Road, turn around at the marked turn station and return the way you came. The race will require runners to exit the transition zone over to the sidewalk and run along the Waterfront park. Runners will finish the race along the seawall in the marked Finish Area. Please note that due to the nature of this race, the Woods Memorial Bridge is not closed down and runners will be on the sidewalk.

🚫 Registration Information

Note that there is NO same-day registration - registration ends Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 8:00pm EST.

📑 Swimming Information

• Age Requirement: 1 Mile Swim participants must be at least 10 years old: 3.2 Mile swim participants must be at least 13 years old.
• Equipment Rules: Equipment and headphones are not permitted due to safety protocols.
• Wet-Suits: Allowed but participants will be ineligible for awards.
• Finish Procedure: You must swim up to, onto and run/walk up the boat ramp and over the timing mat to finish the race.

🏅 Awards

Awards presentation will be held 2 hours after the swim start for swimmers and 2.5 hours after the swim start for swim/runners at the downtown marina parking lot area.

👮 Race Safety

The Beaufort Search and Rescue Squadron will be providing the primary safety for our event. 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! No headphones/ear buds/swim enhancing equipment are allowed during the swim portion of the race.

💰 Fees

Entry Fee is non-refundable including in the event of inclement weather, water conditions or issues beyond our control. In the event of a cancellation, Beaufort Search & Rescue will make the final call. Swimmers will still be able to pick up their race bags in the event of a cancellation.

For more details and registration, please visit the official race page.