Fall SwimFest at French Creek - PA

Welcome to our Fall SwimFest at French Creek, presented by French Creek Racing!

This event will be held at Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park.

SwimFest event features our 5K, 1 mile, and 800m swim races, in addition to a SwimRun - 1600m swim, 5K run, & 5K Relay (3 x 1 mi)

SwimFest Schedule:
Thursday at Noon - Fall Tri Camp at French Creek begins.
Friday at midnight - Online registration for SwimFest closes
Sunday 8AM - 5K Swim & Relay start
Sunday 10AM - 1 Mile Swim and SwimRun events start
Sunday 11AM - 1/2 Mile Swim start
Saturday 11:45AM - Awards ceremony
Sunday 2PM - Late checkout from camp cabins (Lodging available to any racer for $20 per night per person)

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: There will be a porta potty on site, near the water's edge.

Register today for 1, multiple, or up to 3 races, and stick around to see all the fun that SwimFest offers!

The 5K race starts at 8:00am.  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. 

The 1 mile race (1 loop) starts at 10:00am. 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 11am. 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 10am, in conjunction with the 1 mile swim.  All racers must complete the course by 11:30am.
Swim/Run Notes: 
- Format is 1600m swim (1 loop), 5K run (2 loops)
- 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 during their 5K.  Racers may also stash or carry their own nutrition.

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.  Water temperature is likely to be below 78º at this time of year, and therefore will most likely be wetsuit legal.

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).

Parking and directions: Use the GPS address - 843 Park Rd., Elverson, PA 19520.  There is plenty of space available in this parking lot!  Absolutely no parking on any grass areas.  From the park office, turn to the Southeast to head up to the main "day use" area of the park.  Park in the main/large parking lot and walk back to the north, toward the "French Creek Boat Rental" area.

***Cell phone reception is very hit or miss at the park, so please don't count on it. The address of the park office is 843 Park Road, Elverson, PA 19520 (this may lead to the wrong location on some GPS routes). You can also Google Hopewell Lake - French Creek State Park Boat Rental is the start of the race and is very close to the parking area.

Directions from the Philadelphia / King of Prussia area: Take 422 West past Pottstown to the first red light.  Turn left onto River Bridge Road.  Cross the bridge and make a right onto PA-724.  Follow 724 West for 0.7 miles, then turn left on Red Corner Road. After 2.1 miles, make a left at the stop sign onto Shed Road. After 2.0 miles, the road will come to a T. Turn left on PA-345 South, then a quick right on Park Rd into the actual Park. Continue on Park Road for 2 miles and you'll see Hopewell Lake on your left. Continue to the next left after the park office. Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.

Directions from PA Turnpike (points south and west): Take the Morgantown exit (298) of the PA Turnpike. Take I-176 North for 0.1 miles to exit 1A. Turn right on PA-10 North and follow for 0.5 miles. Turn right on Joanna Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right on Elverson Road. After 0.6 miles, make a slight left onto Hopewell Road. Hopewell Road turns to Park Road. Pass South Entrance Road. After 3.8 miles on Hopewell / Park, turn right before the park office. (If you pass Hopewell Lake, you went too far). Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.

Want to join us for more than just the day?!?  JOIN US FOR A LONG WEEKEND OF TRIATHLON TRAINING AT TRI CAMP 9/26-9/29!

Refund Policy: NO REFUNDS will be issued. If requested at least 14 days in advance, we will be able to transfer your funds to a different training or race event.  A nominal fee shall apply