The very first Splash ‘n Dash set at River Edge Swim Club in New Jersey
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Bergen County residents have a new opportunity to participate in a friendly competition where swimmers must wear their running shoes and runners must bring a bathing suit.
The River Edge Swim Club will host its first ever Splash N’ Dash Biathlon on Saturday, June 22nd. All Bergen County residents are welcome to participate in the event.
The participants swim their laps in the 25-meter pool and then run on the grounds of the swimming club and the nearby sports field.
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There are 14 events and the age range is from 5 to 18 years and over. The number of laps in the pool and the running distance are based on the seven different age groups. For each age group there is one race for men and one for women.
The event is open to all residents because the club wanted to “have a really friendly competition at the county level,” said Christopher McGee, a member of the River Edge Swim Club’s board of trustees. Local swim clubs, gyms and high school swim teams were invited to expand the event’s reach.
McGee says the race gives participants who are just runners or swimmers a chance to try something different and get out of their comfort zone, and it’s also a fun opportunity for kids to compete against each other.
“When I was little, everyone swam. Swimming is something that kids don’t typically do anymore,” says River Edge swim coach Ryan Berman. “It’s a great way to get kids involved in swimming who may never compete.”
Berman is the head coach of the 11-and-over swim team and wants her team to work hard, but most of all, have fun.
Swimming clubs are disappearing
The club hopes the event will encourage children to spend more time outside – and swim. “Any opportunity to get the kids outside and moving is a good idea. Get out and swim, get some exercise,” said Teresa Donohue, aquatics program director and club president.
COVID-19 has affected the club’s participation in recent years, but biathlon offers a chance for a fresh start. “Everything has been different since COVID,” McGee said. “Getting the kids back together and coming up with new ways to get everyone in the pool is great.”
McGee said there are fewer and fewer swimming clubs due to financial problems. McGee said the event could show residents that “we have a great swimming club in the county.”
“Swim clubs are the lifeblood of summer in Bergen County,” he said.
Donohue agreed. “We hope that people coming and seeing what we have to offer will bring us new members,” she said. “We just want people to have fun. It creates a little goodwill between the towns and people who don’t know each other can chat while they wait their turn.”
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