Skip to main content
Run Vibes
Browse races
Ocean Fest 5K Beach Run logo

Ocean Fest 5K Beach Run

Sat, May 2, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Location
Surf City, NC
100 N Shore Drive (Beachside), 28445
Featured distance
3.1 Miles
Type
RUN
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Run on the beautiful sands of Surf City, support ocean conservation, and then enjoy a lively two-day eco/surf/art/music festival.

  • Fun
  • Scenic
  • Festive
  • For a Cause

Great for

  • Beginner Friendly

Join the Ocean Fest 5K Beach Run in Surf City, NC, and support Mother Ocean while enjoying a unique race experience. This manually timed 5K takes you entirely on the beautiful sands of the beach. Your participation helps protect our oceans and contributes to local nonprofits. Afterward, immerse yourself in the vibrant, free two-day Ocean Fest, featuring live music, art, surf culture, a beer garden, and a kids' zone. It's a wonderful way to give back and celebrate.

What to expect

  • Run or walk a 5K entirely on the soft sands of Surf City Beach.
  • Support Mother Ocean and nonprofits dedicated to protecting her.
  • Enjoy a full day of fun at the Ocean Fest, a free eco/surf/art/music festival.

Standout details

  • Run entirely on the beach sand
  • Part of a two-day eco/surf/art/music festival
  • Supports ocean conservation
  • Manually timed 5K

Perks & features

  • After-Party
  • Food & Drink

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Vibe Check

Steady Effort

Beach / sand course

The course

  • Beach / sand
  • Flat
  • Timed race
From the organizer

WHAT Ocean Fest 5K Beach Run

ABOUT The ocean has given us so much, and we've decided it's high time to return the favor! Support Mother Ocean and nonprofits that protect her by running/walking in the Ocean Fest 5K on the beautiful sands of Surf City, NC.  Enjoy running on the beach while knowing that you are supporting efforts to keep our oceans clean and healthy...then stick around to soak in a full day of fun. Ocean Fest is a free, two-day beachside eco/surf/art/music festival with a beer garden, kids zone, and top regional and national bands playing in downtown Surf City until 10 pm.

Note: This run takes place entirely on the sand/beach.

DISTANCES OFFERED 5K Run or Walk - This is manually timed.

WHEN Saturday, May 2, 2026

START/FINISH LINE 100 North Shore Drive, Beachside Surf City, NC  28445

HOW TO REGISTER Register Before the Race: Click on the SIGN UP button in the upper right corner.  Online registration closes 30 minutes before the race starts. Register At Pre-Race Packet Pickup or On Race Day:   To register at packet pickup or race morning onsite, you must be able to register online from your phone.

PARKING Paid parking throughout the town of Surf City. Check out www.theoceanfest.org website for shuttle bus information.

SCHEDULE For a full schedule of events, check the Ocean Fest website

ABOUT OCEAN FEST The mission of Ocean Fest, Inc. is to celebrate and protect Mother Ocean while supporting other likeminded nonprofit organizations.

Ocean Fest is a two-day live music, arts, surf, eco festival to benefit the ocean.  The organization also works throughout the year to mobilize its coastal community to better protect Mother Ocean through beach/coast cleanups, pop-up events, and the ongoing work with Topsail Island Eco Friendly establishments.

Also in this area

Similar vibe nearby

Races nearby with a similar atmosphere.

Easier options nearby

Lower-difficulty races in the same state.