Swim with a Purpose: CLASH Endurance Announces New Charity Swim Events with Swim Across America

1-Mile Swim and 100M Dolphin Dash Take Place December 7 at Daytona International Speedway

CLASH Endurance® and Swim Across America are thrilled to announce a new charity swim in Lake Lloyd, located in the infield of the iconic Daytona International Speedway® on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to swim alongside notable Olympians in an inspirational one-mile swim or a 100-meter Dolphin Dash with fundraising for critical cancer research as their top priority. Funds raised will support Swim Across America’s breakthrough pediatric cancer grants with its beneficiaries and CLASH Endurance’s philanthropic partner The NASCAR Foundation.

Swim Across America, founded in 1987, hosts 24 annual open-water swims from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge, and hundreds and pool swims each year that fund cancer research and patient programs, raising more than $100M to date. Swim Across America has funded transformative trials that led to the FDA-approved immunotherapy cancer medications Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. The organization has also supported Memorial Sloan Kettering’s landmark trials including the recent Phase II clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine showing an 80% success rate treating MMRd cancers with immunotherapy alone. Swim Across America also recently awarded the first-of-their-kind gene editing innovation grants to Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to advance safer, more effective targeted treatments.

“Swim Across America, CLASH Endurance and The NASCAR Foundation joining together makes so much sense as The NASCAR Foundation helps so many kids who are battling cancer,” commented Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. “To have a Swim Across America charity event in Daytona on the CLASH Endurance Family Weekend means we will make even bigger waves together in the fight against cancer.”

The NASCAR Foundation is a leading charity that works to improve the lives of children who need it most in NASCAR racing communities through the Speediatrics Children’s Fund and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Serving as a designated 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, it has contributed more than $50 Million to impact the lives of more than 1.7 million children nationwide since 2006.

“We are excited to be a part of the new Swim Across America swim during the CLASH Endurance weekend at Daytona International Speedway. We truly appreciate the many years of support from our friends at CLASH, and it is a privilege to team up again to help improve the health and well-being of kids across the country and in our race communities,” said Nichole Krieger, vice president and executive director of The NASCAR Foundation.

On December 7, when hundreds of swimmers and volunteers dive into Lake Lloyd, one-mile swimmers will be required to raise at least $400 by event day; swimmers under 18 will raise a minimum of $200; Dolphin Dash participants can register for $50 and have no fundraising minimum. To register as a swimmer or a volunteer, visit swimacrossamerica.org/daytona.

CLASH Endurance CEO Bill Christy says, “We are proud to collaborate with Swim Across America which continues to make a lasting impact in the cancer community. This is a cause that has touched all our lives, and we are honored to further support the fight at one of our flagship event weekends.”

Each December when much of the country battles snow, more than 3,000 participants ranging in age from four to 80+ will take on the speedway through a variety of events including a 5K, kids’ triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, triathlons, Test Track and Redline Relay. CLASH Endurance strives to provide a festival-style weekend, which in addition to free activities for spectators and athletes alike, include a wellness expo, food trucks, beer/wine garden and much more. The weekend kicks off with a festive “Jingle Jog 5K” on Friday evening with a start and finish at ONEDaytona. Participants, including those in jogging strollers, will experience Florida’s “Magic of Lights” holiday display taking them under the iconic grandstands of the speedway. The Swim Across America 1-mile swim and Dolphin Dash will help cap-off the weekend on Sunday, December 7.

“We have swum in some incredible venues and Daytona International Speedway is certainly one of the most iconic,” noted Olympic swimmer and Swim Across America Ambassador Rowdy Gaines. “To have a Swim Across America charity swim in Daytona is going to be extra special – I will definitely be there!”

CLASH Endurance® is an innovative endurance event company led by athletes with a passion to provide exceptional race experiences at iconic speedways across the U.S. CLASH embraces inclusion and welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities, from elite professionals to first-time participants. The popular CLASH Endurance DAYTONA event is held at the Daytona International Speedway®, home of ‘The Great American Race”- the Daytona 500, and has been featured on NBC and Fox Sports 1/2. Each February, the Daytona Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes athletes on a scenic tour of Daytona and its numerous landmarks and attractions. In addition, CLASH Endurance Miami in March continues to draw a decorated pro field, collegiate athletes from dozens of prestigious universities and weekend warriors for a challenging course at the historic Homestead-Miami Speedway®. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on X at @NASCAR_FDN. For more information visit clashendurance.com.

Swim Across America hosts open water and pool swims in numerous communities nationwide, from Nantucket to under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. More than 150 Olympians swim with the organization, including Michael Phelps, Kate Douglass, and Missy Franklin. The organization supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually and has ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions nationwide. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on social media @SwimAcrossAmerica on Facebook and @SAASwim on Instagram.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – TAMPA BAY IN THE MEDIA

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Tampa community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, at swimacrossamerica.org/tampa.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

Swim Across America – Tampa Bay Welcomes a Family That Makes Waves to Fight Cancer Together

WTVT-TV (FOX, 13)

Swimming for a cause

11-year-old takes on Swim Across America challenge in support of older sister

Spectrum News Bay News 9

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St. Pete family affected by cancer swims to raise funds

St. Pete Catalyst

St. Pete sister swims Saturday for cancer research

Bloom Tampa Bay

Making Waves Against Cancer: How two sisters battle cancer with Swim Across America

iHeartRadio WFLA-AM/FM

“The Ryan Gorman Show” + “What’s Happening Around Town this Weekend” with Sharon Wynne tampabay.com

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – SEATTLE IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Seattle community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Fred Hutch Cancer Center at swimacrossamerica.org/seattle.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

Cancer Survivor Kristin Lamson and her “Team Pisty” Makes Waves to Fight Cancer with Swim Across America – Seattle

Hutch News Stories

Tackling an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer

Fred Hutch and UW hematology/oncology fellows win ASCO Young Investigator Awards

MLT News

North Sound Swimmers take the plunge for cancer research

My Edmonds News

Reminder: North Sound Swimmers hosting cancer research fundraiser at Brackett’s Landing Aug. 4

Edmonds Beacon

Swim Across America at Brackett’s Landing North

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NASSAU/SUFFOLK IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nassau/Suffolk community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries at swimacrossamerica.org/ns.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

THE 24TH ANNUAL SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NASSAU/SUFFOLK OPEN WATER SWIM WILL MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER ON AUGUST 3

LI Herald – Lynbrook

Swim Across America comes to Lynbrook again and raises money for cancer research

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – LONG ISLAND SOUND IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Long Island Sound community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medical Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/long_island.

WCBS-TV (CBS, 2), New York, NY

32nd annual Swim Across America helps raise $1.8 million for cancer research

WPIX-TV (CW, 11), New York, NY

Swimming for a cause at 32nd annual ‘Swim Across America’ event

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News 12 Westchester

32nd annual Swim Across America raises money for cancer research

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Swim Across America Holds 8 Pool Swims to Make Waves to Fight Cancer

The Examiner News

Chappaqua Swim Coach Making Waves Raising Money for Cancer

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Long Island Sound Swim This Saturday to Raise Funds for Cancer Research

Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch

Team Gina Turns Devastating Loss into Action through Swimming

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A Summer Swim Across The LI Sound Makes Ripples To Last A Lifetime

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Swim Across America – Lake Isle Pool Swim

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nantucket community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket, and Mass General Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

DUNCAN RICHARDSON FINDS HOPE IN HIS CANCER JOURNEY THROUGH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET SUPPORT

Nantucket Current

“I’m Not Supposed To Be Here” Duncan Richardson Swims To Give Hope To Future Cancer Patients

Swim Across America Nantucket Aims For New Fundraising Goal On Saturday

Photo Gallery: Swim Across America Nantucket Raises $825,000 In 12th Year

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Swim Across America takes to water Saturday

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Swim Across America Returns To Nantucket’s Jetties Beach This Weekend

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SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Motor City Mile community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Rogel Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/detroit.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

CANCER SURVIVOR, KARA WOLTER, CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF MAKING WAVES WITH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE

Detroit Free Press

Bone cancer survivor swims across Belle Isle to raise money for research

The Sun Times News

Cancer Survivor Kara Wolter Makes Waves to Fight Cancer at 6th Annual Swim Across America

The Macomb Daily

Swim Across America Motor City Mile hits the water Friday

WDIV Click on Detroit (Local 4)

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Maya Merhige x Swim Across America Media Highlights

Media coverage celebrating Swim Across America – San Francisco participant and marathon swimmer, Maya Merhige. Learn about Maya and her record-breaking marathon swims at swimacrossamerica.org/maya. For media inquiries, email Jeni Howard.

Cook Strait Swim – March 2025

Berkeley High Jacket: “Teen swimmer Maya Merhige makes waves around the world”

Radio New Zealand (RNZ): “Maya swims everything”

SwimSwam: “17-Year-Old Open Water Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige, 17, Adds Crossing of New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

World Open Water Swimming Association: “17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer”

The Sports Column: “Making Waves to Fight Cancer, 17-Year-Old Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

KPIX-TV (CBS, 5): “Berkeley high school student completes daunting open water swim in New Zealand”

SAAswim.com: “17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer”

English Channel Swim and Triple Crown – July 2024

NBC News Now: Teen swims English Channel to help fight cancer

People Magazine: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

New York Times: At 17, She’s Already Conquered Some of the World’s Big Swims

The Sports Column: “16-Year-Old Maya Merhige Swims English Channel, Raises +$100,000 to Fight Cancer”

SwimSwam: “16-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SUCCESSFULLY SWIMS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL”

Berkeleyside (updated): “Berkeley teen braves sharks and hyperthermia in world record swims. What keeps her going?”

Yahoo! Sport: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige Swims English Channel at Age 16 to Complete Open Water Triple Crown”

Outdoor Swimmer: “16-year-old Maya Merhige to swim English Channel”

SwimSwam: “16-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige to Tackle English Channel”

The Sports Column: “Maya Merhige: ‘I Swim for Each and Every Person Who Has Ever Been Touched by Cancer’”

News and Views on the State of Swimming: “MAYA MERHIGE, 16, TO TACKLE ENGLISH CHANNEL & EARN TRIPLE CROWN IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH”

East Bay Times: In brief: Berkeley girl, 16, swims English Channel, helps fight cancer

SF Gate: California Teen Swimmer Makes History With ‘Triple Crown’

The Mercury News: Berkeley teen swims English Channel, completing Open Water Triple Crown for a greater cause

SwimTrek: ‘The Girl That Does Those Crazy Swims’: Maya Merhige

20 Bridges Swim, Manhattan, NY – July 2023

ABC World News Tonight: “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMMER TAKES A LAP AROUND MANHATTAN”

WABC-TV: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

ABC “Good Morning America”: “15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SWAM AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN”

ABC News Live: “ABC NEWS PRIME: SEARCH FOR PA FLOOD VICTIMS; AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN IMMIGRANTS; TEEN’S EPIC SWIM LAP”

PEOPLE: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL TAKES 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Access Daily Hollywood: “SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – SOCIAL STAR OF THE WEEK”

Swimmer’s Daily: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Breitbart: “CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Upworthy“TEEN COMPLETES A 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

CNBC “MAKE IT”: “THIS 15-YEAR-OLD SWAM 28.5 MILES AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN: ‘I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I WAS BREAKING RECORDS’”

The Sports Column: “TEEN CONQUERS SWIMMING CHALLENGE IN FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Swimming World: “MAYA MERHIGE, 15, COMPLETES 20 BRIDGES SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CHARITY”

KTVU-TV (FOX, 2): “BERKELEY TEEN MARKS ANOTHER FEAT, BECOMING ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TO FINISH 28.5 MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN”

WQAD-TV (ABC, 8): “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMS AROUND MANHATTAN, UNDER 20 BRIDGES TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER”

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “BERKELEY TEEN MAKES SWIMMING HISTORY”

Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Swim – January 2023

SwimSwam: “27 HOURS LATER, 15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST TO SWIM 28-MILE KAIWI CHANNEL”

Lake Tahoe – July 2022

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “14-YEAR-OLD BREAKS SWIMMING RECORD IN LAKE TAHOE”

Catalina Channel – September 2021

SwimSwam: “14-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST WOMAN TO SWIM ACROSS CATALINA CHANNEL”

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – DENVER IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Denver community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Children’s Hospital Colorado, at swimacrossamerica.org/denver.

KUSA-TV (9News) “Colorado & Co.”

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2024 SAA-DENVER MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

KUSA-TV (9News) “Colorado & Co.”

Swim Across America for a Great Cause

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SAASWIM.COM – SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG

Swim Across America – Denver Shines Spotlight on Survivorship with Cancer Survivors Sarah Thomas and Garrett Rymer

Littleton Independent

Swim Across America makes 7th annual splash near Littleton

Mile High Magazine (Denver Sports Radio)

Swim Across America – Denver

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE NEWS

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Fairfield County community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, at swimacrossamerica.org/fc.

SAASWIM.COM – Swim Across America blog

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUST BECAME PERSONAL FOR EVENT DIRECTOR, NANCY CARR

WCBS-2 (CBS 2TV)

Swim Across America event in Connecticut raises nearly $500K for cancer research

News12 Connecticut

Swim Across America Fairfield County raises $475,000 for cancer research

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Foundation

Make waves to fight cancer June 29 with Swim Across America and ACGT.

Hamlet Hub – Fairfield, CT

18th Annual Swim Across America Fairfield County Set for Sun. June 29

Greenwich Moms blog

18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Swim ~ “Queen Willa” Kids’ Splash

Greenwich Free Press

Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Event Adds Kids’ Splash, Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona to be honored at Swim Across America June 29

Swim Across America Open Water Swim Draws Hundreds to Long Island Sound

Greenwich Patch

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona Helps Make Waves to Fight Cancer

Greenwich Time

The Dish: Out there… The 18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim takes place next Saturday

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona on why she supports Swim Across America

Fairfield Neighbors

Fairfield resident Wendy Probert helps make waves to fight cancer