The Bathhouse Soapery team sprints to victory in the 2019 Running of The Tubs.
The final lineup of competitors was announced for the 2021 Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races on World Famous Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs.
The races will be held Saturday, June 5, at 9 AM from the starting line in front of the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa on Central Avenue. The presenting sponsor of the races is Bathhouse Soapery.
To respect and protect the National Park and waterways, throwing of water balloons by spectators is discouraged and the use of Super Soakers to spray the contestants is encouraged.
Key match-ups in the final 2021 lineup:
• The reigning champions of the Traditional Division (cast iron tubs), Bathhouse Soapery, will try to defend their title. The Riser Ford team, whose quest for a fourth title was drained in 2019 by the Bathhouse team, looks to reclaim the title.
• The Austin Weirdos from Austin, Texas, are returning to defend the Modified Division (fiberglass or plastic tubs) World Championship. They will face fierce competition from the Hale Entertainment team who pirated their way to an impressive debut in 2019. New this year will be a team of rangers from Hot Springs National Park, who will be competing to help celebrate the park’s 100th birthday.
• The Stock Tub Division (for teams from nonprofit organizations) pits Cyclists against Runners. The Trail Advocacy Advocates of the Ouachitas (TACO) defend their world title against The Spa Pacers.
• The Hot Springs Fire Department and the Hot Springs Police Department will renew their no-holds-barred rivalry in the Battle of the Badge. The Fire Department was victorious in this fierce rivalry in 2019.
The family of the late Stueart Pennington will once again lead the Parade of Tubs from Hill Wheatley Plaza to the starting line at 9 AM on Saturday, June 5. The Running Of The Tubs is named in honor of Pennington, a downtown merchant who advocated tirelessly for the establishment of bathtub races to emphasize Hot Springs’ reputation as a thermal bathing mecca whose motto for many decades was “We Bathe The World.”
“Arkansas hosts many unique, colorful and wacky events — a Turkey Drop in Yellville, Goat Fest, the World Championship Rotary Tiller Races, World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, cardboard boat races — but there is no event that is soaked in more fun than the Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas,” Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder said.
For information contact Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.
