IGNITE SwimRun Series

IGNITE Swimrun has been taken over by Rip It Events

In 2020, Ignite Swimrun was taken over by Rip It Events. Ignite Swimrun Maryland became simply 'Swimrun Maryland'.

Information on the Original Company

IGNITE SwimRun Series were a Virginia based company in the USA started in December 2017 and were the first US company to offer multi-state SwimRun races across the country.  The 2018 Virginia race was the first ever US National Championship.

Inspired by the international ÖTILLÖ, ”Island to Island” races, the IGNITE races follow the same rules and guidelines, with teams running and swimming together, wearing wetsuits and carrying pullbuoys, paddles and tethers if they wished.  As always, all gear must be carried throughout the race.


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Swimrun Maryland

DATE - September 24th 2023

VENUE - Greenbrier State Park

The only Swimrun planned for 2023 at the moment is SwimRun Maryland. There are two distances, 9.5 miles and 18.8 miles.

The RIP IT EVENTS Team

RIP IT EVENTS is run by the following team:

  • Danny Serpico - Owner, Race Director, Timer
  • Suzy Serpico - Owner, Head Coach

You can read more about the RIP IT EVENTS Team here.

The Races

In the meantime we have included below information on past IGNITE events:

There were 4 races in the IGNITE SwimRun Series, running from May through to October, and all had a general entry. Team entries were either -  all male, all female, or mixed.  In previous years, the winners of each individual long event got free entry to the 2019 National Championships at the SwimRun Virginia event. 

In 2019 the company introduced the Solo 'Spark' category to bring the SwimRun experience to more athletes - providing the 'spark' need to try this challenging sport! The Spark category is only in the short course events for those wishing to compete without a partner.

A group of swimrunners wearing blue tops running at the start of an IGNITE swimrun event.

Races were held in:

  • Maryland
  • Knoxville
  • Minnesota
  • Rhode Island (new venue to be confirmed soon)

RIP IT EVENTS SwimRun Maryland

This Ignite event has been taken over by RIP IT EVENTS and went ahead in 2023.  The previous time Ignite held this race was 2021, and the following paragraphs reflect the previous events.

IGNITE Swimrun series

LONG COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 6 legs: 2.1 miles

Run: 7 legs: 14.1 miles

Total Distance: 16.2 miles

SHORT COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 4 legs: 1.4 miles

Run: 5 legs: 6.2 miles

Total Distance: 7.6 miles

SHORT COURSE - SOLO 'SPARK'

Swim: 4 legs: 1.4 miles

Run: 5 legs: 6.2 miles

Total Distance: 7.6 miles

For more information about the RIP IT EVENTS SwimRun Maryland click here.


IGNITE SwimRun Knoxville

DATE:  RIP IT events have not yet rescheduled.

VENUE:  Ijams Nature Center, 2195 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37920

A group of swimrunners wearing blue tops and swim caps running across grass at the start of an IGNITE swimrun competition.

LONG COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 3 miles

Run: 14 miles

Total Distance: 17 miles

SHORT COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 4 legs: 1.25 miles

Run: 5 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 8.25 miles

SHORT COURSE - SOLO 'SPARK'

Swim: 4 legs: 1.25 miles

Run: 5 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 8.25 miles


IGNITE SwimRun Minnesota

DATE:  RIP IT events have not yet rescheduled.

VENUE:  Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, 307 3rd St, Ironton, MN 56455

Two men and a woman in the background wearing blues running tops during a swimrun event.

LONG COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 7 legs: 4.1 miles

Run: 8 legs: 13.2 miles

Total Distance: 17.3 miles

SHORT COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 4 legs: 1.5 miles

Run: 5 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 8.5 miles

SHORT COURSE - SOLO 'SPARK'

Swim: 4 legs: 1.5 miles

Run: 5 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 8.5 miles


IGNITE SwimRun Rhode Island

DATE:  To be confirmed.  RIP IT events have not yet rescheduled.

VENUE:  NEW VENUE COMING

A man and a woman wearing blue vests over black wetsuits, and green swim caps, running into the water at a swimrun race, with trees in the background.

Below are the distances that were used in the previous Rhode Island events.

LONG COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 8 legs: 4.6 miles

Run: 9 legs: 13.9 miles

Total Distance: 18.5 miles

SHORT COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 3 legs: 2 miles

Run: 4 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 9 miles

SHORT COURSE - SOLO 'SPARK'

Swim: 3 legs: 2 miles

Run: 4 legs: 7 miles

Total Distance: 9 miles


IGNITE SwimRun Virginia

National SwimRun Championship & General Entry Race

The IGNITE SwimRun Virginia is not on the website this year so we assume is not taking place.  RIP IT events have not yet rescheduled.

We have included the distances for this event for previous years below, for your information.

IGNITE Swimrun series

LONG COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 6 legs: 3.1 miles

Run: 9 legs: 14.8 miles

Total Distance: 17.9 miles

SHORT COURSE - TEAMS

Swim: 3 legs: 1.2 miles

Run: 4 legs: 5 miles

Total Distance: 6.2 miles

SHORT COURSE - SOLO 'SPARK'

Swim: 3 legs: 1.2 miles

Run: 4 legs: 5 miles

Total Distance: 6.2 miles


Click here to go the RIP IT EVENTS home page.


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