2026 SwimRVA Down River Rip

The Cause - This 5k('ish) fun run is held to honor the memory of Christian Wood, a talented young kayaker who lost his life while paddling on the James River in 2018. The proceeds from this race will be used to fund the work of Friends of the James River Park System (jamesriverpark.org), the Christian Wood Scholarship Fund to send underprivileged kids to Passages Adventure Camp, and the programming of the James River Park System's Education Department. Friends of the James River Park is the largest nonprofit support group for the area's beloved James River Park System. Our mission is to protect, expand, and enhance the James River Park.

This is the sixth year of this event in memory of Christian Wood. Christian was a senior at Trinity Episcopal School, an elite kayaker, and a regular counselor and instructor at Passages Adventure Camp. A talented student and amateur filmmaker, he found his joy in the rapids and whitewater of the James River. In 2018, despite his kayaking skills and protective gear, he lost his life in a tragic accident in a hydraulic on the James River. Christian enjoyed being a staff member of Passages Adventure camp and introducing campers to our amazing James River. That is why the proceeds from this event are dedicated to getting more kids into the park, to discover the joy to be had in and around natural environs.

We hope you will join us for this fun family event, and help us honor Christian's memory by expanding educational opportunities for children in the park and helping improve our James River Park System. Please sign up to run/walk or make a donation today!

The top two racers in each age group will receive a prize.

The Course- This family-friendly 5k run/walk will take participants along the banks of the James river on Riverside Drive and through some of the James River Park System's most scenic and accessible views. One of the most popular swimming and sunbathing spots in the JRPS, Pony Pasture Rapids receives almost a quarter of a million visitors annually. The main entrance to Pony Pasture is located off Riverside Drive, two miles east of the Huguenot Bridge. Participants should expect to be on some road, trail, and gravel path elements.

Well-behaved leashed dogs and off-road capable strollers are welcome, particularly if you are walking! Dogs must be leashed, with no exceptions, and we ask that extra care be taken to ensure that leashes do not present a tripping hazard to other participants. We want you to be able to include your furry friends, and it has to be done in a way that does not impact other race attendees. Part of the course will be along an active roadway, which is something you might need to be aware of when planning whether or not you are comfortable bringing your dog.

Join us for an exciting evening mile race for all ages (youth & adult) on May 3rd at 4pm. This fast, out-and-back course is the opening event of the national East Coast Triathlon Festival (learn more here). In addition to providing a fun family night of racing, the proceeds of this event go directly to producing free fitness programs in Richmond’s lowest-opportunity neighborhoods and $1,000+ will be donated back to local school’s physical education departments through the school participation competition (see below).

A multisport festival for all ages & experience levels!

9 Separate races for youth and adult triathletes, duathletes, and runners of all levels including:

• 1 of 5 Youth & Junior Cup races which qualify for USAT’s Youth & Junior Nationals

• One of the only adult draft-legal races in the country

• Unique 2-person mixed relay race

• Beginner-friendly youth & adult triathlon, duathlon, and run races

• No qualification necessary & there is a race for all levels

• Safe, loop course closed to vehicular traffic with hay-bales on every corner

• Previous years hosted athletes from over 40 US states and 5 countries

The VA Super Tri is a fun, unique spin on the traditional sprint triathlon. We took a sprint triathlon and broke it up into five mini triathlons (125m swim – 2.4mi bike – 1k run) which are completed back-to-back.

Youth Participants: Youth will have their own race and complete just two loops of the same course.

Relay Participants: Each relay team member will alternate running loops. One participant will complete a loop, then pass off to the next team member, who will complete the next loop. This pattern continues until all five loops are completed.

This is a great way for a new triathlete to get the experience of five triathlons in one with multiple transitions, and the experienced triathlete to challenge themselves with something new! Plus, the entire event is super spectator friendly with athletes never further than 1 mile away.

The RVA Sprint Triathlon is Richmond’s only pool sprint triathlon. Hosted by the Rockville Center, this race is set in beautiful Rockville, VA. Participants will enjoy a short pool swim, rolling rural bike, and fun out-and-back run course. This event includes a classic sprint triathlon, kid’s splash & dash (swim-run), and new this year we will also have a shorter beginner-only race for first-time triathletes only. Prefer to not swim or run? No problem as we have both duathlon (run-bike-run) and aquabike (swim-bike) options. The RVA Sprint Tri will feature a “seeded” race start with the top 12 seeded women starting approximately 7 minutes ahead of the top 12 seeded men to set up an exciting battle of the sexes to cross the finish line first!

All Live Red Foundation events provide the funding for Live Red Foundation’s free fitness programs which teach life skills to children in low-opportunity communities. Learn more here!

Every finisher will receive a finisher’s medal. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female overall in the triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike as well as in each age group category for the triathlon and splash & dash.