Annual river race selected as first global marathon swim in Jacksonville
Jacksonville and the St. Johns River will be the site of Global Swim Series’ 20th United States race. The 6th annual “Up the River Downtown” 10K open water swim, presented by JumpingFish and DRC Sports, was selected by GSS as the first marathon swim in the St. Johns River.
The Global Swim Series is the world’s largest open water swimming series, a collection of 140 independent races from over 35 countries around the globe that have joined together to promote open water swimming and a healthy, active and adventurous lifestyle.
Over 100,000 swimmers participate in GSS races and compete against swimmers from around the world using a Global Ranking system that recognizes both speed and participation.
The race starts at Jacksonville University on the beach and finishes at Riverside Arts Market at the Fuller Warren Bridge. The 10K swim takes the swimmer under the Hart Bridge, the Mathews Bridge, past TIAA Bank Field, under the Main Street, Acosta and the FEC railroad bridges.
Scheduled to leverage the flood/incoming tides, the current assist will get the average swimmer to the finish in less than two hours. Slack water is at 6:57 a.m. and peak flood tide current is at 9:57 a.m. The race begins Saturday, Sept. 22, with the first wave launching at 8 a.m. Wetsuits will not be allowed as water temperature is projected to be in the 80s.
Swimmers will be escorted by support watercraft, including kayaks for close proximity and basic lifeguard support; jet skis for quick response and swimmer evacuation; pontoon boats for course oversight and mobile operation platforms. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine unit and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, boats will be onsite to alert and direct non-event vessels from entering the course.
Awards will be presented at the end of the race on the riverfront stage at Riverside Arts Market at 11 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics of Duval County.
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