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Welcome to the Fast & Furious 5K swim, presented by French Creek Racing! New this year: 1.5 mile and 1K options.
All swims will start at 1400 S. Trooper Rd., Norristown, PA. Swimmers must provide their own transportation (or walk/run) back to the starting area. Transportation can be provided for an additional fee. All swims will pass through the narrow straits of the locally legendary Catfish Dam. All swimmers MUST either have their own kayaker, OR wear a New Wave Swim Buoy. Swimmers may drop 1 (one) small bag at the starting line with their own clothing, towels, hydration, and snacks. It is recommended to drop warm clothing as needed.
Events:
1K Fun Swim will pass through the Catfish Dam and finish at 93 W. Indian Lane in Port Indian. This will be an UNTIMED (or self-timed) event, and awards will not be given.
1.5 mile swim will be all downstream, finishing at 1 E. Indian Lane in Port Indian.
SwimRun will be a 1.5 mile swim, exiting at 1 E. Indian lane, followed by a 1.5 mile run back to the starting line.
5K Swim will start off going 3/4 mile upstream with the remainder of the swim going downstream to finish at 1 E. Indian Lane
Parking and directions: Use the GPS address - 1400 S. Trooper Rd., Norristown, PA 19403. There is plenty of space available in this parking lot! Absolutely no parking in front of the launch area. From the lot, walk south (away from the Schuylkill River Trail) down the asphalt path toward the river. After you cross the road, make a left and walk downstream (east) for about 200 yards until you'll see our launch area on your right.
Schedule:
Thursday 4/30 at midnight - Online registration closes.
Saturday 5/2 9:30AM - 5K swimmers start from 1400 S. Trooper Rd.
Saturday 5/2 9:35AM - 1.5 mile swimmers and SwimRunners start from 1400 S. Trooper Rd.
Saturday 5/2 9:40AM - 1K swimmers start from 1400 S. Trooper Rd.
Saturday 5/2 12:00PM - Finish time cutoff
Saturday 5/3 12:45PM - Awards ceremony at 1400 S. Trooper Rd.
There are no refunds for this event. The rain date is Sunday May 3 if required. In the event of a cancellation, any entries would be deferred to the following year's event, or to another FCR event of your choice.
Custom awards will be given to the top 3 M/F in each race.
Please review the course maps for more detail:
5K Swim
1.5 Mile Swim
SwimRun = 1.5 Mile Swim + 1.7 Mile Run
1K Swim
All individuals should carry everything they need on their kayaks or in their swim buoys. You may forgo use of a kayak if and only if you elect to wear a New Wave Swim Buoy, or equivalent. We'll have them available for purchase in advance. Wetsuits will be allowed if the water temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cutoff time will be 2.5 hours, or 12 Noon, at the latest. Bags may also be left at the starting line, but French Creek Racing is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Restrooms: There is no porta potty on site at the start line. There are restrooms available at the finish line(s).
PLEASE READ: INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
THIS EVENT OCCURS IN A RIVER SUBJECT TO FLOW AND RUNOFF CONDITIONS. All races will be held rain or shine. Two things will cause the race to be postponed: 1) Lightning in the area, and 2) water quality due to stormwater runoff. Ultimately, we will make a call by 2 hours prior to the first heat, and email registrants as well as posting it on our Facebook page at that time. If there is light rain during the event, we will still swim. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF CONDITIONS, BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE RIVER, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY RACE TO BE HELD AT THE TIME INDICATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY!
NO REFUNDS for any reason, including event cancellation. If the event is cancelled, we will give you the option to defer your entry to next year's race, or another future FCR event.
BY REGISTERING TO RACE, ALL PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF SWIMMING LONG DISTANCES IN AN OPEN WATER ENVIRONMENT, AND CERTIFY THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THE SWIM.
Welcome to the 11th Annual River Day Races, presented by French Creek Racing!
Parking and directions: Use the GPS address - 1400 S. Trooper Rd., Norristown, PA 19403. There is plenty of space available in this parking lot! Absolutely no parking in front of the launch area. From the lot, walk south (away from the Schuylkill River Trail) down the asphalt path toward the river. After you cross the road, make a left and walk downstream (east) for about 200 yards until you'll see our launch area on your right.
This event features our 5K, 1 mile, and 800m swim races, in addition to a SwimRun - 800m swim, 5K run, 800m swim, & 5K Relay (3 x 1 mi)
River Day Schedule:
Thursday 8/6 at Midnight - Online registration closes.
Saturday 8/8 -- 9AM - 5K Swim & Relay start
Saturday 8/8 -- 11AM - 1 Mile Swim start
Saturday 8/8 -- 11:40AM - SwimRunSwim start
Saturday 8/8 -- 11:45AM - 800m Swim start
Custom overall and age group awards will be given to the top 3 M/F in each classification - overall and 10 year age increments.
Restrooms: No restroom facilities onsite. Please make sure you use the bathroom before you arrive. The nearest restroom facility is at the Betzwood trailhead parking lot, about 600 meters away from our launch site. No changing rooms on site.
Register today for 1, multiple, or all 4 races, and stick around to see all the fun that River Day offers!
The 5K race starts at 9:00am. The cutoff time for the 5K is 3 hours. The 5K course will be 3 loops. All other races will be 1 loop. There will no hydration stop provided by French Creek Racing. Any 5K swimmer who wishes to place their own nutrition near the start/finish area (and 1&2 mile marks) will be permitted and encouraged to do so. If you expect to complete the race in LONGER than two hours, it is strongly encouraged for you to bring an individual escort kayaker, and your own nutrition. Please do not place your nutrition on the floating dock as it's very likely to get knocked into the river.
The 1 mile race (1 loop) starts at 11:00am. The cutoff time for the 1 mile is 1 hour. If you wish to bring your own escort kayaker, you may do so! We will have a number of kayak and boat supports along the course. There will be no nutrition/hydration stops on the 1 mile course.
The 800 meter race (1 loop) starts at 11:45am. The cutoff time for the 800 meter race is 30 minutes. There will be no nutrition/hydration stops on the 800 meter course.
The SwimRun event begins at 11:40am. All racers must complete the course by 1:00pm.
Swim/Run Notes:
Format is 800m swim (1 loop), 5K run (2 loops), and 800m swim (1 loop)
There will be a small transition area (not fenced in) where you can change shoes, etc. No transition times will be kept. You'll simply get swim and run splits. Transition on either side of the line.
We will set up an aid station near the swim exit which runners will pass at least 4 times during their 5K. Racers may also stash their own nutrition at this aid station.
We will need approximately 10-12 volunteers (kayakers, lifeguards, and other helpers). Register Here to Volunteer, or contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
We will follow the USAT Wetsuit rule of 78º temperature threshold. Should the water temperature exceed 78º, anyone wearing a wetsuit will not be counted in the official results. Should the water temperature exceed 84º F, no wetsuits may be worn. Water temperature is likely to be above 78º in early August.
If you wish to bring your own escort kayaker, you may do so! We will already have a number of kayak and boat supports along the course.
When you arrive, check in at our table, take a swim cap, and have your number marked. New Wave Swim Buoys may be worn by racers (your choice of color).
PLEASE READ: INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
THIS EVENT OCCURS IN A RIVER SUBJECT TO FLOW AND RUNOFF CONDITIONS. All races will be held rain or shine. Two things will cause the race to be postponed: 1) Lightning in the area, and 2) water quality due to stormwater runoff. Ultimately, we will make a call by 3 hours prior to the first heat, and email registrants as well as posting it on our Facebook page at that time. If there is light rain during the event, we will still swim. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF CONDITIONS, BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE RIVER, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY RACE TO BE HELD AT THE TIME INDICATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY!
Live river condition updates can be found HERE.
Refund Policy: NO REFUNDS will be issued. If requested at least 7 days in advance, we will be able to transfer your funds to a different training or race event. Deferrals will be offered in the event of race cancellation due to inclement weather.