2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge logo

2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge

2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge is a swimming race on December 31, 2026 in Richmond, VA, with an entry fee of $75.

Date
December 31, 2026 (99 days to go)
Price
$75
Sport
Swimming

From the Organizer

The SwimRVA New Year's Challenge is about YOU.  It is about setting goals for the coming year.  No matter if you are a beginning swimmer or just finished crossing the English Channel, this event is YOURS.  At SwimRVA we want you to be healthy, happy and energized to be part of our community.  We believe swimming can be your vehicle to stay healthy active and fit.  The SwimRVA New Year's Challenge is about setting a goal of how far you can swim.  The format is repeating 100 yard swims on an interval.  The interval is designed so you have time to finish each 100 yard swim, get some rest and then start another.  Past participants have had goals of 3 x 100s up to 100 x 100s.  The measure of success is not how far you swim, but whether you reached YOUR goal and set a NEW GOAL for next year.  We hope the New Year's Challenge is rejuvenating and centers each and every participant on the SUCCESS they will achieve in and out of the pool. 

Check out last year's SWIMRVA NEW YEAR"S CHALLENGE GALLERY

ARE YOU READY?  WILL YOU TAKE THE CHALLENGE FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY?  YOU ARE WHAT MAKES RVA GREAT!

The event is going to be on Wednesday, December 31, 2026.  The event will run from 2pm-5pm. Check-In starts at 1pm. 

There will be a tiered fee structure. It's ONLY $75 if registered by October 31.  At registration you will pick the interval you would like to swim. Instructions will be to pick an interval where you will get between 15-45 seconds rest. So if you can comfortably swim a 100 freestyle in 2:00 you will want to pick an interval around 2:30 depending on how much rest you want on the wall. Interval choices will start at 1:30 and progress as follows: 1:40 1:50 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 3:30 4:00. 

If you are more of a leisure swimmer, you may want to choose 3:30 or 4:00.  If you do not know your interval, please pick 4:00 and we will place you on event day.

This is all about YOU!  There is no competition, except with yourself.  Will you ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE?

Events

2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge$75

Typical Conditions

It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.

Typical High

49°

Typical Low

30°

Chance of Rain

32%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Richmond Intl Ap, 10 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 7:24 AMSunset 5:01 PMDaylight 9h 38m

About Richmond, VA

Population

227,595

as of 2023

City Elevation

60 ft

Nearest Airport

RIC

Richmond International Airport · 9 mi

Time Zone

Eastern Time

From Endurance Grid

A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.

Race Location

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

99

Days to train

Race
2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge
Date
December 31, 2026

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About This Sport

Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.

Swimming events drop you into something that demands navigation, feel, and focus all at once. It's a sport that rewards the quietly competitive — the ones who do the work in the water before anyone's watching.

Read the Guide

Open Water Swimming

Open water races take place in lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans. Distances can run anywhere from a short 500m swim to 10K marathon events. Just you and the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge?
2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge is a swimming race held in Richmond, Virginia on December 31, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more swimming races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the 2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge?
Thursday, December 31, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia at 5050 Ridgedale Parkway. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the 2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

2027 SwimRVA New Year's Challenge

Dec 31, 2026

Register