Great OC Lagoon Race
About this race
Join us for the 7th Annual Great OC Lagoon Race on Saturday, July 18, 2026!
A favorite Ocean City tradition, the Great OC Lagoon Race brings together neighbors, friends, and visitors for a fun day of friendly competition on the water. Whether you’re racing, cheering from the sidelines, volunteering, or taking photos, everyone is welcome.
Race Schedule
11:00 AM – Paddleboard Race
11:30 AM – Kayak Race (Singles & Doubles)
12:00 PM – Open-Water Swim (18+)
Course Information
The race course begins in the Venetian Lagoon and follows a loop around the 17th Street island before returning to the finish. Participants may launch from the 16th Street or 18th Street bulkheads. The start and finish area will be located at the 18th Street bulkhead.
Important Information
This is a recreational, community-focused event intended to be fun and accessible to participants of all skill levels. Competitive/racing paddleboards are not permitted. Single and double kayaks are welcome.
The swim is approximately ¾ mile, a portion of which is in the open bay. The swim is limited to participants age 18 and older. Ocean City Beach Patrol personnel will be present to help ensure swimmer safety.
All participants must complete registration and sign the event waiver before participating. Awards and trophies will be presented to the top finishers in each division. Prizes will also be awarded for youngest and oldest racers!
Spectators Welcome
Friends, family, and neighbors are encouraged to come out and enjoy the event. Great viewing locations include the 17th Street Bridge and the 17th and 18th Street bulkheads.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Local businesses interested in sponsoring the event and receiving promotional recognition through Ocean City community social media groups are encouraged to contact the organizers for additional information.
We look forward to another great day on the water and our biggest turnout yet. Grab your paddle, bring your friends, and join us for the 7th Annual Great OC Lagoon Race!
Pick your distance
Running
OC Great Lagoon Race
* Paddleboard Race: 11:00 a.m. (No racing boards permitted.) * Kayak Race: 11:30 a.m. * Swim Race: 12:00 p.m. (Participants must be age 18 or older.) * Awards ceremony will follow the swim race. * Event schedule and courses are subject to change based on weather, water conditions, or safety concerns.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 1 year of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Ocean City.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Ocean City
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Ocean City 5K Races 5 races
- Ocean City Running Calendar 2026 8 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 9 Ocean City events
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