Central Maryland SwimFest
Welcome to the 2026 Central MD SwimFest brought to you by French Creek Racing! This SwimFest event at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, MD has three distances (plus options to combine events for longer distance) including: 800 meter swim (1 loop) 1600 meter swim (2 loops) 2400 meter swim (3 loops) For an extra challenge, race in all 3! Get 30% off your 2nd race and 45% off your 3rd race. Register today for your choice of races!
Online Registration Closes Thursday, May 7 at 12 midnight. Check-in is available from 7:30AM to 10:30AM on Saturday May 9. All racers should check in when they arrive. NO REFUNDS and no rain date. In the event of inclement weather, entries will roll into next year's race, or you may defer to another FCR event. A registered athlete may request a deferral to next year's event if they do so at least 14 days prior to the event. A nominal fee shall apply.
Historical water temperature varies, but we expect water temperature to be between 62-70F for this date. Wetsuits will be allowed with water temps below 78.0 degrees. Wetsuits are recommended during May since water temperatures are usually in the 60’s. Fins are not permitted.
Schedule
7:30am (Saturday): Packet Pickup/Registration Opens (All 3 Races), at the Race Venue 8:30am: Packet Pickup/Registration Closes for 800 Race 8:30am: Pre-Race Meeting/ Questions 8:45am: 800 Warm Up 9:00am: 800 Meter Race Begins 9:30am: Packet Pickup/Registration Closes for 1600 Race, at the Race Venue 9:30am: 1600 Warm Up 9:45am: 1600 Meter Race Begins 10:30am: Packet Pickup/Registration Closes for 2400 Race, at the Race Venue 10:30am: 2400 Warm Up 10:45am: 2400 Meter Race Begins 12:00pm (apprx.): Awards Ceremony (All 3 Races)
Race Information - Swim Course
The swim course will be in Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park and will be a 800 meter course. 800 meter race: complete one lap 1600 meter race: complete two laps 2400 meter race: complete three laps Participants will not get out of the water in between laps. Participants will get out of the water after their swim and finish on land. See course map for more details. Start: The first race will be the 800 meter event. The second race is the 1600 meter swim. The third and final swim will be 2400 meters. Each race will begin as scheduled, however swimmers who have not completed their event before the next race begins will be allowed to finish and will not be pulled from the water. This will be an in water start, wave format. You can combine events! You are eligible for awards for each individual event you compete in but will only get one giveaway. All three events combined is a total of 4,800 meters (2.8 miles). Each race will be allowed a 10 minute warm up near the start area. Timing: This event will be professionally chip timed! We will be providing race day results via QR code link immediately after you finish your race. Course Support: We will have water at the finish line. We will also have food items at the finish line for volunteers and participants only.
Event Rules
All must wear the provided swim cap with bib # written on the cap. Wetsuits will be allowed if water temps are below 78.0 degrees. Wetsuits are recommended during May since water temperatures are usually in the 60’s. Fins are not permitted. Athletes that do not complete the course must visit race officials at the finish line to check in and return their timing chip. If you do not complete your event before the next race starts you will be allowed to finish and will not be pulled from the water.
What's Included?
- Well organized and professional event, of course!
- Finisher Medal (One medal per person, not per event)
- Free Race Photos.
- Race T-Shirt (Only one per person no matter how many races entered - Register by 4/18)
- Custom Awards
- Post Race Food
- Real-Time Results
- Meeting other athletes and establishing new friends!!!
Awards
The award categories are the same for each event: 800 Meter, 1600 Meter and 2400 Meter. Overall Male and Female (3 deep) Age Groups: 16 and under, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ (3 deep) Age based on your age as of race day. Participants doing the combined swims are eligible for awards for each individual event they swim.
Photos French Creek Racing would like to show our appreciation to our loyal fans by providing you with free race photos! That’s right…FREE! We will be providing you with all the digital photos taken at our events. You will be able to view, download and share your race photos right here from our registration page. Photos are typically uploaded 2-3 days post-event.
