Sun, Aug 23, 2026

Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine

Irvine, CA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

Entry is $40 now and rises to $43 after Aug 20, 2026, so registering before then saves $3.

About the Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine

The course loops the waterpark parking lot a couple of times, then enters through a back access area. Runners who choose the Splash Dash finish by wading through the lazy river, pushed along by the current and hit by overhead fountains. Those who prefer to stay dry take a short detour near the end. Both versions cover the same distance.

The race is held before the waterpark opens to the public, so the morning is quiet and contained. The organizers run a food drive, so bring canned goods or a small cash donation for the partnering food bank. A water polo club has a booth at the event, and there are refreshments and music after you finish.

Free race emails

Get the Weekly RunSesh

In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near Irvine on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.

Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

437finishers

21:50winner

42:30median

1:15:29cutoff

Top 3: Luke Kerwin (21:50) · Albert trevino (22:34) · Bo Alexander (22:37)

The Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine has been held every year since at least 2024. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles8/23/2026 08:00$40

Ducky Dash (kid's 1/2 mile/400 meter/or 200 yard dash)8/23/2026 07:45$32

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Irvine — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.

Common Questions About the Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine

Will I finish last at the Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 42:30, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:15:29, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine a good first 3.1 Miles?

A field of 437 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Splash Dash 5k (& Dry Run 5k) at Wild Rivers in Irvine?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 21:50 while the median finisher took 42:30. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.