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Ocean City Running Festival

Sat November 2, 2024 Ocean City, MD 21842 US Directions

Hoop Tea 8K Race

 

OCEAN CITY INLET
501 S. Atlantic Ave.
8:00am
OCEAN CITY INLET
501 S. Atlantic Ave.
2 HOURS

 

 

ABOUT THE 8K COURSE

The Hoop Tea 8K course will cover much of the famous Ocean City boardwalk.  The race will start and finish in the inlet parking lot along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.  After covering portions of Baltimore Avenue and N. Division Street and crossing under the “Boardwalk” archway the route will head north along the boardwalk to 27th Street where it will turn around and make its way back to the Jolly Roger at the Inlet amusement park and finish in the Inlet parking lot. 

 

8K AMENITIES

  • Free race & expo parking in the OC Inlet parking lot (other paid lots also available during race weekend)
  • Complimentary gear check prior to the race
  • Mile Marker signs at each mile
  • Clocks at various splits on the course
  • Volunteer-staffed water and Gatorade stops  on the course
  • Toilets at start/finish and various points on the course
  • Free Thrasher's Fries for an authentic Ocean City experience

 

8K SWAG

  • Gender-specific Under Armour performance shirt.
  • Collectible finisher medal with unique oyster shell design that slides open to reveal an iconic OC image inside
  • Complimentary post-race beer and Hoop Tea to toast your accomplishments

 

8K COURSE MAP

To view an interactive course map CLICK HERE.
To view the course turn-by-turn directions CLICK HERE.

 

EXPO & PACKET PICK UP

Ocean City, Maryland’s Roland E. Powell Convention Center
4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
EXPO & PACKET PICK UP HOURS: November 1st-  3p to 9p

The Ocean City Running Festival wants you to enjoy all that the area has to offer and invites you to spend the weekend in OC!  We will have a traditional race expo with vendor booths from local, regional and national sponsors and exhibitors.  Here you will claim your race bib and your race premium.  The Health & Fitness Expo is open to the public and FREE of charge. You don’t have to be participating in the event to browse all the great wares that will be on display. You will find great prices on shoes, apparel, active gear and health care products – items you can use even if you’re not a runner. 

LIMITED RACE MORNING PACKET PICK UP IS AVAILABLE from 6am to 7am in the Ocean City Inlet.  Runners are strongly encouraged to pick up at the expo if at all possible. Race morning pick up can be a challenge for us, for traffic and for the timing company.  That said, we are happy to provide this option for those who truly need it. This is intended for those who are coming in late from out of town or have other extenuating circumstances. Sign-up for this option HERE.

Due to logistical challenges, we are unable to offer a Mail My Packet option for the Ocean City Running Festival in 2024.

 

CHIP TIMING

The event will continue to utilize the best timing technology available. The B-tag technology offers runners a streamlined race experience with timing tags attached to participant bibs. This method eliminates the need to scan your chip at the expo or to return the chip following the race, which means no more sitting down to undo your shoelace just after your run and you no longer have to worry about a charge for a lost chip.

Tips to have your time accurately recorded:

  • Race bib is clearly visible on the front of the torso
  • Race bib is unaltered and unmodified (do not fold or wrinkle)
  • Race bib is pinned in all four corners
  • Race bib is not covered (jackets, runner belts, water bottles, etc.)

Virtual runners: The 2024 virtual race will be self-timed.  You will have the opportunity to print a race bib and report your finish time into the official race results.

 

MEDICAL SUPPORT

Our wonderful medical partner Atlantic General Hospital is there for you, even during your virtual race.  Learn more HERE.

Atlantic General Hospital will provide medical support on the course and in the finish line area. The Atlantic General staff will include certified doctors, registered nurses, physician assistants and EMTs and will provide the necessary medical attention to any patient in need. We are grateful to have the Atlantic General Hospital associated with the event.

 

POST RACE CELEBRATION 

Featuring Jimmy Charles National Country Recording Artist

After your run, make plans to stick around and celebrate your accomplishments with other participants.  Enjoy an ice cold Michelob Ultra or a Hoop Tea, browse the vendors, take in the beautiful sites and listen to live music.

Known for his High energy, passionate and soulful performances, Jimmy Charles is a rising star you don't want to miss. An Ocean City, Md. native, Jimmy Charles headed to Nashville to pursue his music dreams after graduating from Towson University. He appeared on the ninth season of "American Idol" and has toured the country opening for Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Turner, Merle Haggard and more since launching his music career in 2014. The singer/songwriter found early success with his first single, "Whatever It Takes," and the power of his second release, "Superman," solidified his place in the spotlight. Currently his single "They Grow Up Too Fast" is one of the top trending audios on Social media Reels and stories and his song/video "It's a Maryland Thing, You Wouldn't Understand" along with receiving Millions of collective streams/views is also being referred to as the new anthem for the State.
 View Here > https://youtu.be/RSmLubla4S4?si=fLOblw02JzXi8CVz

 

AWARDS


Overall Winners:  Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female champions as well as to the second and third place finisher.

Awards Ceremony: The Awards Ceremony will take place at the Main Stage in the Ocean City Inlet 12:00pm. Only the Overall Winners from the full marathon, half marathon, 8k , and 5k will be awarded at the ceremony. Age group awards will be mailed. (5K Awards Ceremony will be at 9:00am).

Age Groups: Prizes go to the top overall non-elite male and female age group finishers for the marathon in each of the following divisions: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35- 39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70-74, 75 +

Age group awards are mailed in November after race results are declared official.

NO DUPLICATION OF AWARDS.  Disclaimer: We will not ship age group awards internationally. VIRTUAL PARTICIPANTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RACE AWARDS.   Awards will be issued to those who complete the official course live on race day.

 

 

 

PRINTABLE 8K COURSE

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

PDF

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