The 19th Annual Beaufort River Swim and 5K Run to BENEFIT THE WARDLE FAMILY YMCA’S LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM
Saturday, May 31, 2025 Event Options
- 3.2-Mile Beaufort River Swim
- 1-Mile Swim
- 3.2-Mile Swim/5K Run
- 1-Mile Swim/5K Run
- Or Relay Option (Timed Event but No Awards Given)
Interested in sponsoring or donating to the 2025 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.
Race Day: Meet at the Downtown Safe Harbor Beaufort Marina (1006 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902) starting at 6:00 am. This is the end point for both swims as well as the staging area for swim/run events. Both swims require all swimmers to check in prior to boarding the buses. Swimmers should NOT meet at the starting point. YMCA staff will transport swimmers via bus to their respective starting points (Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina for the 3.2-Mile swimmers and the Beaufort Memorial Hospital dock for the 1-Mile swimmers). YMCA staff will bring your numbered race bag back to the downtown marina where swimmers can retrieve it after the race (please do not leave valuables in your race bag).
All 3.2 Mile Race entrants must checked-in by 7:15am. 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.
Check in for the 1 Mile Swim starts at 7:00am. 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 1 Mile swimmers leaves the downtown Beaufort Marina parking lot at 8:00am.
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, Woods Memorial Bridge is not closed down and runners will be on the sidewalk. There is a small chance the bridge can open during this time and runners will be required to stop.
