2024 Maryland Swim for Life

2.5K and 5K Distances

National Harbor, MD

Hosted by District of Columbia Aquatics Club

Sanctioned by: Potomac Valley LMSC for USMS, Inc., Sanction #104-W002

REGISTRATION: The registration fee for MD Swim for Life is $65 for USMS members. Non-USMS member registration is $85 and includes the single day USMS insurance.

With your registration fee, you will receive a post-race meal, a swim cap and a t-shirt . Register by June 5, 2024 to guarantee your shirt size. Online registration available through Wednesday, June 19th. Additional registrants will be entered on a case by case basis by contacting swimforlife@swimdcac.org. Please note this is an 18 and over swim event only.

Participants are also asked to donate or fundraising at least $75 in support of our local charities. A custom fundraising page is available to you once you complete registration.

FUNDRAISING: Each participant is expected to raise $75 to support our charities. Many swimmers raise far more.

You can ask your family and friends to contribute to your fundraising goal by creating your own fundraising page on this site.

Pledge checks can be made payable to “DCAC Swim for Life.” Checks, cash, Venmo and credit cards will be accepted on the day of the event.

AWARDS: Special prizes will be awarded to the top 5 fundraisers, based on pledges submitted at the start of the event.

The top finishers, male and female categories, in the under 30, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 + age categories for each distance will also receive awards

LOCATION: This year’s event will for the first time take place at National Harbor, 165 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

7:00 am – Volunteer arrival and check in

7:15 am – Registration opens

7:50 am – Close of registration for 5K swimmers

7:55 am – 5K swim safety briefing

8:00 am – Start of 5K swim wave

8:10 am – 2.5k swim safety briefing

8:15 am – start of 2.5k swim

10:30 am – race cut off

10:45 am – post race celebration and breakfast

Every swimmer must be registered and checked-in by 8:00 am on race day. All pledge money not submitted online also is due by 8:00 am, to be counted towards determination of fundraising prize winners. ABSOLUTELY NO changes to race distance will be permitted after registration closes. To ensure the validity of the swim results, except for safety reasons, no mid-course corrections will be allowed. If you do not complete your designated distance, you MUST inform the event coordinators. During check-in, swimmers will be body-marked and capped according to distance, and will receive a timing chip on a velcro strap, to be worn around one ankle.

COURSE: The course will be composed of a race loop in the inlet area at National Harbor. 2.5K participants will complete a single loop, 5K participants will complete two loops. The course details are available on the DCAC website.

TIMING: Timing will be provided by Blue Cheetah Timing.

Water Temperature: Water temperature on swim mornings is usually in the mid-70s. Wetsuits are allowed (but most swimmers do not wear one as the water is very comfortable); other flotation devices (e.g., pull buoys, paddles, fins) are not. USMS regulations prohibit wetsuits if temperatures exceed 78 degrees, as they have in several past years.

EVENT POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION: In the event of inclement weather or other emergency, the event may be postponed up to 2­ hours. No “rain date” is scheduled. No refunds of any registration fees or donations will be made.

Modification of the event distances is at the discretion of the Event Director and may be made in the event of impending weather concerns. Cancellations and modifications to the event will be at the sole discretion of the Event Director and Safety Coordinator, in coordination with the US Coast Guard and local authorities.