Swim Across America Returns to Daytona International Speedway Dec. 5 for Second Annual Charity Swim
SASwim Across America1135 words
Ryan Lochte will be at the Swim Across America - Daytona open water swim on Dec 5. (FILE) Ryan Lochte of the US during Rio 2016 Olympic Games. EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER
Swim Across America - Daytona is back at the Daytona International Speedway on December 5 to make waves to fight cancer and raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Photo credit Jonny Nomad Media.
Olympians Ryan Lochte, Brooke Bennett, Paige Zemina Northcutt and Jarrod Shoemaker to join Swim Across America - Daytona open water swim on Dec 5
We are excited to be back this year on December 5th with more swimmers and more funds raised for pediatric cancer research.”
— Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America
DAYTONA BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, November 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The roar of race cars will give way to the splash of swimmers Saturday, Dec. 5, when Swim Across America returns to Daytona International Speedway for its second annual Swim Across America - Daytona Open Water Swim, part of the CLASH Endurance Daytona Triathlon Festival Weekend, Dec. 4-6, 2026.
The charity event begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Speedway's iconic Lake Lloyd, featuring a 1-mile swim and 100-meter Dolphin Dash to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and The NASCAR Foundation. Participants can register at swimacrossamerica.org/daytona.
"Last year's Swim Across America - Daytona open water swim at the Daytona International Speedway, in partnership with CLASH, was so much fun," said Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. "We are excited to be back this year on December 5th with more swimmers and more funds raised for pediatric cancer research."
Olympic guests include swimmers Ryan Lochte (2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016), Brooke Bennett (1996 and 2000) and Paige Zemina Northcutt (1988), along with Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker (2008).
Lochte, who grew up in the Daytona area and attended high school with Butcher, will swim the 1-mile event with Team FRP, led by Charlie Lydecker and his son, Andrew. Lochte is also scheduled to sign autographs at the Swim Across America tent on Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon.
"Swim Across America is doing important work funding cancer research," Lochte said. "I'm happy to come back to Daytona where I grew up and Make Waves to Fight Cancer with them."
Northcutt, a longtime Swim Across America supporter and angel swimmer at events nationwide, was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2026. Her experience has deepened her connection to the organization's mission.
"Every dollar that you raise, every lap that you swim, every moment of time that you spend helping this organization is helping somebody like me," Northcutt said. "I'm standing here today as living proof that what we do with Swim Across America matters. It matters a lot."
Returning for a second year, Team FRP helped bring the inaugural charity swim to Daytona. Charlie Lydecker, chairman and CEO of Foundation Risk Partners, is a 14-time national lifeguard champion, an accomplished U.S. Masters Swimming competitor and an Escape from Alcatraz swim winner. Andrew Lydecker is a former high school swim captain who has competed at national lifeguard championships and completed an Ironman in Texas.
"The team at FRP is proud to support Swim Across America and its mission to bring hope and fund critical research for those fighting cancer," Charlie Lydecker said.
The 1-mile event offers experienced open water swimmers the unusual chance to swim inside the famous Speedway. Participants must raise at least $400, or $200 for swimmers 18 and younger, by event day. The 100-meter Dolphin Dash welcomes all ages, with a $50 registration fee and no fundraising minimum. Participants are encouraged to raise additional donations. Leading individual and team fundraisers will be recognized on Daytona International Speedway's winner's podium.
The three-day CLASH Endurance Daytona festival opens Friday, Dec. 4, with the Jingle Jog 5K at ONE Daytona, featuring a course illuminated by more than 1 million holiday lights. Jingle Jog participants who want to support Swim Across America can join Team Jingle Jog to fundraise; swim participants must register separately through Swim Across America.
Other weekend competitions include Sprint, Daytona Distance and Middle Distance triathlons and duathlons; aquabike events; the USA Paratriathlon National Qualifier; the Redline Relay cycling competition; and Test Track, a noncompetitive opportunity to ride on Daytona International Speedway's famed track. The festival welcomes elite athletes, recreational competitors, families and first-time participants.
The partnership among Swim Across America, CLASH Endurance and The NASCAR Foundation brings together organizations that use sports to strengthen communities. The NASCAR Foundation supports children, particularly in racing communities, through initiatives including the Speediatrics Children's Fund and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Since 2006, it has contributed millions of dollars to programs benefiting children nationwide.
Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $150 million for cancer research. Its funding helped support clinical trials contributing to the development of the FDA-approved immunotherapies Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy, Tecentriq and the recently approved Jemperli. The organization also supported research at Memorial Sloan Kettering exploring immunotherapy alone for certain cancers and awarded gene-editing innovation grants to Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Swim Across America supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually at leading institutions nationwide.
To register, volunteer or donate for the Daytona swim, Dolphin Dash or SAA My Way, visit swimacrossamerica.org/daytona. For the complete CLASH Endurance schedule, visit clashendurance.com/pages/daytona.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America Inc. raises money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through open water and pool swims nationwide. Thousands of swimmers, volunteers and current and former Olympians participate in its mission to support better cancer treatments and cures. Learn more at swimacrossamerica.org.
About CLASH Endurance
CLASH Endurance is an athlete-led endurance event company delivering inclusive race experiences at iconic U.S. venues for professionals, recreational athletes and newcomers. Its signature CLASH Daytona festival takes place at Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500, and has been featured on NBC and Fox Sports. CLASH also stages events including the Daytona Beach Half Marathon & 5K, CLASH Miami and CLASH Coastal Mississippi. For media inquiries, photos or interviews, contact Blair LaHaye at blair@clash-usa.com.
Jeni Howard
Swim Across America
+1 203-273-4246
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