Waterman Eco-Challenge & Summer Safe Ocean State 5K/10K
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026
Founded in 2011, the Waterman Eco-Challenge & Summer Safe Ocean State 5K/10K is an annual multisport festival supporting charities focused on drowning prevention, cancer support, cardiac health, and coastal sustainability. The event features running, swimming, and paddleboard races.
Events:
- 5K Run or Walk
- 10K Run
- 400 Meter Kids Swim
- 1 Mile or 5K Swim
- 3 Mile or 6 Mile Paddle
- Eco-Challenger (5K Run + 1 Mile Swim + 3 Mile Paddle)
- Ultimate Challenger (10K Run, 5K Mile Swim, 6 Mile Paddle)
Ocean Swim:
New England's only open-water swim meet dual sanctioned by USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming. This meet offers three race distances, individual and cumulative time relay competitions, a team points competition, and non-wetsuit (awards eligible) and wetsuit (no awards) divisions.
- Ocean Swim Meet Announcement – click to view
- Details & sanction requirements
- Shareable link: https://bit.ly/wec-owmeetannouncement26
- Coach Attestion Form – click to view
- Required for all swimmers age 12 & under
- Individual Event Age Groups:
- 5K Swim: 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
- 1-Mile Swim: 9-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
- 400-Meter Swim: 12 & under
- Relay Age Groups (sum of the 3 swimmers’ ages):
- 5K swim: 33-51, 52-117, 118-179, 180+
- 1-mile swim: 27-51, 52-117, 118-179, 180+
- 400-meter swim: 36 & under
Key Dates:
- February – Early Registration Opens
- April 15 – Early Registration Discount Ends
- April 16 – Full Price Registration Begins
Tentative Schedule:
- 6:30 AM – Parking Lot & 5K/10K Run Check-In Open
- 7:00 AM – Swim & Paddle Check-In Opens
- 7:00 AM – Run/Walk Entries Close
- 7:15 AM – Run/Walk Races Start
- 8:00 AM – Swim Individual Race Entries Close
- 8:30 AM – Swim Check-In & Relay Entries Closes
- 8:40 AM – Mandatory Swimmer Briefing
- 9:00 AM – Swim Races Start
- 11:00 AM – Paddle Race Entries Closes
- 11:30 AM – Paddle Races Start 11:30am
- 11:45 AM – Swim Awards Ceremony
- 3:00 PM – Public Event Area Closes
Parking:
Regular state beach parking rates apply. Season passes will be honored. Rhode Island resident day parking $7. Non-resident day parking $14. Senior resident $3.50. Senior non-resident $7. Parking rates are set by the State of Rhode Island and subject to change.