The 7th Annual Swim Fest Fort Ritchie, presented by Racine Multisports, took place Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Cascade, Maryland at Fort Ritchie using Lake Royer. The event featured a beautiful race venue, with amazing mountain views around Lake Royer. The weather was beautiful and there was a nice water temperature of 72º. It was wetsuit legal giving swimmers the choice to wear what they felt most comfortable in.

There were three events to choose from. A 750 meter distance, a 1500 meter distance, and a 2250 meter distance. Participants could race in just one event, two events, or all three events. Those who raced in all three events earned a spot in the 4500 club. 750 meter + 1500 meters + 2250 meters = 4500 Club! There were 108 swimmers this year who earned the honor and completed the 4500 meters. Each of those swimmers earned a custom personalized digital 4500 club badge.

Photo of the 2018 4500 Club.
Swimmers who completed all three events.
750 meters + 1500 meters + 2250 meters = 4500 Club!

(Click photo to Enlarge)

This event was professionally chip timed providing race day results immediately following each race, viewable online and at race kiosk stations at the events. Zachary Smith of Sykesville, Maryland, and Megan Martin of Williamsport, Maryland, swept the top overall spots in all three events. Smith was top overall male in the 750 meter event with a time of 8:43 and Martin was top overall female with a time of 9:06. For the 1500 meter, Smith’s winning time was 18:08 and Martin’s winning time was 19:59. Finally, for the 2250 meter event, Smith not only was the top finisher, he also set a new course record with a time of 27:34. Martin’s winning time for the 2250 meter event was 31:40.

Awards were given out to the top 3 overall male and female winners and to the top 2 male and female winners of each age group. They were all awarded a custom race award medal.

All participants were given a custom race shirt with the option to upgrade to a custom embroidered luxury beach towel or purchase the beach towel in addition to the free race shirt. All the beach towels sold out and a new order was placed.

As with all Racine MultiSports events, participants were provided free race photos. Photos taken be Hypnotic Imagery are available online to view, download, share and print. Click Here for photos.

Ken Racine, owner of Racine MultiSports said, “I am very pleased with this event. We want to thank all the athletes, volunteers, crew, and sponsors who make this event a success year after year”.