The Rye Beach Challenge is a local community event designed to bring together athletes of all abilities for a fun, unique, and challenging experience in Rye, NY.

Organized in partnership by local 501(c)(3) organization, The Rye Tri Club, this event showcases the natural beauty of Rye Town Beach and Park while promoting health, fitness, and inclusivity.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, July 11 2026

Time: Registration opens 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM Start | all athletes need to be off the course by 10.30am

Location: Rye Town Beach / Rye Town Park - Dearborn Avenue, Rye, NY.

Parking at the park - Google maps link here

Start/Finish Area: Beach closest to Dearborn Avenue

Participants can choose one of three event options

Event Options

1. Half-Mile Swim

  • Start on Beach - staggered start based on self-seeding

  • Swim out-and-back (½ mile)

  • Entry and exit monitored via timing mats

  • Medals will be awarded for the top three non wetsuit swimmers Male and Female

  • This is the perfect swim for 1st timers!

2. One-Mile Swim (Double Loop)

  • Start on beach - staggered start based on self-seeding

  • Swim out-and-back (½ mile), exit water and cross timing mat

  • Re-enter water via start mat and repeat swim

  • Total swim distance: 1 mile

  • Medals will be awarded for the top three non wetsuit swimmers Male and Female

3. Swim-Run-Swim Challenge

  • Start on beach - staggered start based on self-seeding

  • Swim out-and-back (½ mile), exit water and cross mat

  • Transition to running:

    • Change into sneakers

    • Run a marked approx 1-mile course around Rye Town Park borders

  • Return to transition:

    • Remove sneakers, retrieve goggles (or carry them)

    • Re-enter water via swim start mat

    • Complete second ½-mile swim

  • Finish by exiting and run over the timing mat

  • Medals will be awarded for top three placed Male & Female competitors

The course maps can be found here

Morning instructions

Check-in will open on Saturday, July 11th, at 6:30AM at the corner of Rye Beach Park, that is adjacent to Dearborn Ave. 

At check in, you will receive your swim cap (each race has its own color cap) and timing chip. 

After check in, please proceed to the beach to set up, and wait for your start. 

Each of the three events will start separately, and athletes will start five at a time within each race.  

The first race to start will be the HALF MILE. Following the half milers will be our SWIM, RUN, SWIM participants.  The MILE SWIMMERS will start last.

This is an out and back course. Keep the buoys on your left while swimming out and back. If you are in need of help, wave your hands in the air to get the attention  of a kayaker or paddle boarder. If possible, PLEASE grab hold of the bow (front), so the kayaker  or paddle boarder can see you. Do NOT grab the side of a water craft. If you dump them in the Sound, they will not be able to assist you.

7.50am - HALF MILE swimmers will swim one loop. Remember to sight. (sighting is when you look up and sight a stationary object to stay on course) Try to sight every five to ten strokes.  On your way out, the buoys are great to sight and on the way back to the beach, use the finish tower. 

8.00am SWIM, RUN, SWIM participants. After finishing the first half mile swim, make sure you cross the swim finish mat to start your run.  After crossing the mat, you will head towards the blue beach runner where a kiddy pool will be filled with water for you to run through and rinse your feet if you wish.  Your sneakers will have been lined up by you along the blue runner prior to the race start.  You will exit the beach adjacent to Dearborn Avenue and then enter the beautiful park through the parking lot. The run will experience pavement, gravel, dirt, grass, and sand.  The course will be marked by flags and tape.  Plenty of volunteers will be scattered throughout the park assisting with direction and, most importantly, cheering you on. The run finishes on the beach back at the swim start. You can take your shoes off at any time on the beach, BUT there will be a tarp near the swim start where you must “place” your sneakers.  We suggest that you run with your goggles and swim cap. (Either on your head or tucked into your suit or kit)

8.10am ONE MILE swimmers will swim the loop twice. You will cross the start mat, finish mat, start mat, and then finish again (these are different mats and will be spread apart)

Once you have finished, please cheer on your fellow competitors! Following the race, join us at the pavilion to enjoy our DJ’s music, light snack, and awards.
The most important race day logistic is….remember to HAVE FUN while being challenged! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. 

Other important notes

If you would like to take part in the race but have a disability or special needs please contact us using the link below and we will do all that we can to make sure you have a great experience!

No fins, no snorkels and no paddles are allowed in the event

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure accurate results to the races ultimately the results are at the discretion of the race directors.

In the event that the race, in the view of the race directors, cannot take place due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events participants will be enititled to a 25% reduction for entry to the race the following year.