Hot Springs’ famous bathtub races along World-Famous Bathhouse Row in the downtown historic district have been renamed The World Championship Running Of The Tubs, and the 13th annual races on Saturday, June 2 will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio’s nationwide network.
Entries in the two divisions — Traditional and Modified — are now being accepted, and competitors will be limited to nine teams in each division.
“The races were begun 13 years ago as the Steuart Pennington Running Of The Tubs, and Mr. Pennington will still be honored as the motivating force behind the event with the awarding of the Steuart Pennington Cup to the winning teams,” said Bill Solleder, marketing director for Visit Hot Springs, which puts on the races. “Mr. Pennington was a long-time downtown merchant who pushed for the bathtub races to acknowledge Hot Springs’ rich history as a world-renowned thermal-bathing destination.”
In addition to the World Championship designation and ESPN Radio connection, the races will have a presenting sponsor this year — fittingly enough, The Bathhouse Soapery, Solleder said.
“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 dripping wet fun than the Stueart Pennington Running Of The Tubs (SPROTT) in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas,” he said.
“We are opening registration for entries in this year’s World Championship Running Of The Tubs and we’ll be accepting entries until May 26 or until the two divisions are filled. We’d love to have Central Avenue packed solid from curb to curb with tub racers this year. We already know Central will be packed with the hilarious hijinks that have always accompanied the event, so put together a team, slap some wheels on your tub and come join the fun.”
Prospective tub racers may contact Solleder at 501-321-2027 or visit www.hotsprings.org for more information about rules for entering.