Jim Gent Memorial Bay2Bay Ride - 2026

Join Blue Cheetah as we celebrate the Independence Day holiday and weekend with our 6th annual Independence Day 5K - on Saturday July 4, 2026. Run or Walk 5K or 1M on our certified course in Aberdeen, MD. Race starts and ends at Festival Park. 8:00 am start timp.

Packet mail-outs and Virtual race packets will be mailed approximately one week pror to race day.

Early Packet Pickup will be announced

Race day packet pickup will begin at 6:30 am at the Festival Park Pavilion

Live 5K and 1 Mile Distances, plus a Virtual 5K component for those who cannot be there on the day but still want to join in the fun.

5K - $30/per person - includes shirt, premium medal & race bib. Price increase to $35 after June 15. Race day registration (if available) is $40. Registrations may sell out prior to race day.

1M - $25/per person (untimed) includes shirt, premium medal & race bib. Price increase to $30 after June 15. Race day registration is $35.

Virtual 5K - $35 per person - Virtual registration includes packet mailing of shirt, premium medal, and race bib.

This race is owned, timed, and professionally timed and managed by Blue Cheetah Sports Timing

Midway between Baltimore and Philadelphia, this race is staged out of beautiful Perryville Community Park in Perryville, Maryland which is truly a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough. Nestled on forested bluffs overlooking the top of the Chesapeake Bay this park makes for the epicenter of a great race. The swim takes place in the Chesapeake Bay and features an in water start off the dock. The Sprint bike course is a rolling out and back course while the Olympic bike course is technical with a mix of suburbia, rolling farm country and a fast, flat drag strip along River Road. The run course is mostly flat and winds its way along the Chesapeake Bay on sidewalks and back roads. This event is not to be missed and Cecil County is a great area to explore. Sailing, hiking, dining and more can be found minutes from the race site, you can learn more HERE.

Be sure to check out our race video HERE, then sign up below!

****All athletes must stay in the park until the bike route is clear of incoming bikes. If you must leave prior to the bike course being clear you MUST park outside the park at the fire department lot, approximately 1.35 mile from the race site. If you park inside the park, all cars will be “locked in” until the police deem the roads safe to allow cars to exit. Our goal is a safe race for ALL athletes and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Registration is now open!

The 2026 Mermaid Run is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Festival Park in Aberdeen, MD

5K Race start is 8:00 am, followed by the Mermaid Mile start soon after

The 5K Race will be professionally chip-timed by Blue Cheetah Sports Timing and offers a marathon-quality 5k finisher's medal and event shirt for all participants.

The course is USATF Certified - Fast and FLAT! Costumes are encouraged, and we will have music and prizes!

Check out www.themermaidrun.com for more information and past race photos, medals and more!

Proceeds will benefit the Sea of Hope Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to families who have suffered infancy and pregnancy loss. Our mission is to be a beacon of support, offering solace, education and financial assistance during these difficult times. As we help navigate through the waves of grief we aim to create a supportive community and offer resources to help guide these families through their grief and find hope in the midst of their pain. We recognizes the impact of these losses on the entire family, including siblings who may also be grieving and in need of support. In addition to providing assistance to parents, the Sea of Hope Foundation also offers scholarships to bereaved siblings. These scholarships aim to empower and support them in their educational pursuits, helping them build a brighter future despite the challenges they have faced within their family. Through its comprehensive approach, the Sea of Hope Foundation

strives to create a compassionate and inclusive environment, fostering healing, support, and opportunities for families who have suffered from infancy and pregnancy loss. For more information about the Sea of Hope Foundation please visit www.seaofhopefoundation.org

This event is rain or shine; no refunds will be offered due to inclement weather or other reasons.

** If you cannot attend the live race and wish to have your items mailed to you, you must request prior to August 31 2026 and a separate shipping fee will apply. We cannot make arrangements for in-person pickups. Any items not claimed or requested by August 31 will be considered a donation to the Sea of Hope Foundation. After 8/21/26 shirt sizes for swaps to Virtual or Mailouts can not be guaranteed.

Charm City Run Events is excited to bring you the 2026 ASICS Susquehanna River Running Festival presented by University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health in conjunction with the Al Cesky Scholarship Fund! Set in the scenic waterfront towns of Havre de Grace and Perryville, MD, the SRRF features Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races. Stunning waterfront views, great SWAG, and local hospitality make this event one of the area's best. Half Marathon and 10K runners travel over the Hatem Bridge - an opportunity only available at SRRF! We can't wait to share this experience with you!