Bridges to Bluffs is a 10K open water swim held in Knoxville, Tennessee on September 13, 2026. The race starts at 9:00 AM from the venue at 2280 Cherokee Blvd. Entry fees range from free to $570.00, depending on your registration choice. This open water swimming event attracts endurance athletes looking for a substantial distance challenge in a natural water setting. If you're traveling to Knoxville for this race, you'll want accommodation near the start location that allows an early morning arrival and easy access to the venue. The wide price range for entry suggests multiple registration tiers, so review options carefully when signing up. Plan your pre-race logistics accordingly, particularly parking and warm-up access at the venue.
From the Race Organizer
How many people can say they’ve jumped off the Star of Knoxville Riverboat INTO the Tennessee River? Who can say they’ve gotten to swim under five historic bridges, past Neyland Stadium, and the Knoxville skyline, finishing through beautiful river bluffs lined with historic homes, in gorgeous Sequoyah Hills? Now’s your chance! Bridges to Bluffs is a premier 10K downstream open water swim and a proud leg of the Tennessee Triple Crown Open Water Series (alongside Chattanooga’s Swim the Suck and Huntsville’s Swim Hobbs Island). Why This is Your Perfect 10k Tailwinds for Swimmers: Don't let 6 miles intimidate you! The Tennessee River's favorable downriver current provides a natural assist, making this the friendliest course in America to tackle your first marathon swim. Built-In Safety & Support: With a generous 4-hour cutoff time, a heavy water safety presence, and two free preview swims in July - August to get you acclimated, we ensure you feel confident from your starting leap to your finishing stroke. Whether you are taking on the 10K solo or splitting the distance with a partner as a 2-person relay team, we've designed this to be a plug-and-play weekend getaway: No Pilot? No Problem: With our Pilot Matching Program, we can pair you with a dedicated local pilot, and source their kayak for a flat fee. You’ll meet prior to the race, and then you can just show up and swim. An All-Inclusive Weekend: Your registration isn't just a race ticket. It covers full race safety and timing, premium SWAG, professional photos, a Saturday night sunset dinner cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville for race briefing, and a catered post-race lunch on Sunday. Only 100 swimmers get to leap off the Star of Knoxville each year. Will you be on the deck on for B2B’s ninth year, or watching the recap from your phone…? Sign up today! Important Registration Reminders: All swimmers over 18 must be current USMS members or purchase a one day event membership (OEVT). Swimmers ages 13-18 may register in the solo 10k swim and must be current USA Swimming members (your registration will be discounted $20 to VOID the USMS OEVT fee - it is automatically applied) . All solo swimmers MUST be accompanied by a PILOT on a kayak (or similar). Swimmers are encouraged to find their own pilot for the event. There is an option to pay the race team to recruit a pilot for you. All PILOTS must also register. There is no fee; swimmer's fees cover pilot costs. All race information, including FAQs, schedules, rules & past results can be found at: https://knoxvilleopen-waterswimmers.squarespace.com/bridgestobluffs Included in every registration: One race entry (for a solo swimmer OR a relay team of two swimmers) Two high quality logo'd t-shirts (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers) Two seats for the Saturday dinner cruise (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers) Two lunches post-race on Sunday (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers) Finisher award for all participants Race morning bus transportation from the finish line to the starting areas for swimmers and pilots Free downloads of professional photographs taken over the weekend
Hotels Near This Race
Find accommodation close to the start line in Knoxville, TN. Sorted by distance from the race venue. Book early — race weekend hotels fill fast.
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Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for September 13.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Knoxville, TN.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN?
Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN takes place on September 13, 2026. The race is held in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Where is Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN held?
Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN is held at 2280 Cherokee Blvd in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Where can I find hotels near Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim 2026 — Knoxville, TN?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Knoxville. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
