Hilton Head Island senior looking for 5th straight win
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Some things have become common around Beaufort.
A struggle to find a parking place downtown. A good burger at Beedo’s.
And Skylar Bruner winning the women’s race in the Beaufort River Swim.
While a fifth straight win is on the line in the 17th annual Beaufort River Swim set for Saturday morning, Bruner’s goals are personal.
“This race is the most personal to me. I’ve watched my parents win this race since I was a kid, and now to take over is an honor,” Bruner said. “It is also my first open water race, where I found my love for this side of the sport. While I’m definitely aiming for a win, I’m just honored to get one last for sure race in with this community.”
Bruner, a Hilton Head Island High School senior, finished third overall last year, winning the women’s race with a time of 53:17.16. She grew up watching her parents – Carlton and Heather Bruner – compete in this event. Both competitive swimmers, Carlton Bruner competed for the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Now, Bruner’s senior year in high school is coming to a close, and she has been able to put things in perspective.
“This swim season has been my best yet,” she said. “I feel good in the water, and the training has been paying off. At my championship meet this past season, I had all personal bests, and even then I know I have more.”
Bruner said a small break is coming up before her life’s next chapter. She’ll enjoy the summer, compete in three back-to-back open water swims and head to college in August.
“I will be swimming for the University of San Diego in California and hopefully will also compete in a few open water swims,” Bruner said. “While I’m ready to go, it’s bittersweet leaving the towns I grew up in, and I (owe) so much thanks to this race and all the years of fun it gave me.”
“Also, I will be back to beat Cohen (my brother) so he better be ready.”
The Beaufort River Swim is the primary fundraiser for the Lowcountry YMCA’s Learn To Swim program. Last year, 164 competitors took part in the event, raising $21,000.
Registration ends Thursday, May 18 for the River Swim and 8k and 5k runs to be held May 19 and 20.
There are multiple sign up options for the event – swim, run, or both. But there is no same-day registration.
There are two challenges including Run/Swim/Run and Swim/Run, as well as the 3.2-mile competitive Beaufort River Swim, a 1-mile fun swim, the 8k Competitive Road Race or the 5k Road Race after either swim distance. All proceeds benefit the Wardle Family YMCA’s Learn To Swim Program.
The competitive and not-so-competitive fun begins Friday at the Community Beer Garden/Sands Beach in Port Royal. With live music, food trucks, and plenty of libations including non-alcoholic beverages. All participants will receive a race bag.
Then at 7 p.m., the 8k Competitive Run through Port Royal will be held. This is a stand-alone race as well as the first leg of the two-day Challenge 1 and Challenge 3.
The Beaufort River Swim happens on Saturday morning. The downtown Beaufort marina parking lot is the end point of both swims. This is the staging area for swim and run events – please look for directional signage for check-in to receive your timing chip (3.2-mile swimmer and relay team participants only) and be marked up. Parking is free until noon.
Check-in begins at 5:30 a.m., and the 3.2-mile competitive swim starts at 8 a.m. with the Fun Swim starting at approximately 8:30 am. Competitive swim participants must be at least 13 years old.
For those participating in Challenge 1 or 2, the 5k run starts immediately after the 3.2-Mile Swim. There will be a transition area marked with signage adjacent to the swim finish. There is no stand-alone 5k race.
To register or if you have questions about the race, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Beaufort/BeaufortRiverSwim.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
