The Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs returns to Hot Springs on June 6, 2026, bringing back one of the most entertaining, spirit-soaked traditions anywhere in the state. This annual bathtub push down Bathhouse Row mixes athletic chaos, historic charm, and plenty of splash friendly antics to create a summer event unlike any other.
A Summer Tradition That Embraces the Weird
The race gets rolling at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 6, but the fun kicks off the evening before with tub judging at 6 p.m. Friday, June 5. Teams decorate and theme their bathtubs with as much humor and creativity as possible. The next morning they push those water filled tubs down the heart of downtown in a fast but very soggy race for bragging rights.
As Alexis Hampo, special events manager for Visit Hot Springs, puts it, “It’s time for racers to get ready for The Cleanest World Championship on Earth. The Running of the Tubs will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, and racers have until then to get in shape to push standard sized bathtubs full of water down the main street of the town that once boasted ‘We Bathe the World.’”
This year marks the 20th Running of the event since its revival in 2006. The only pause came in 2020, but the celebration has otherwise grown into one of downtown Hot Springs’ most beloved annual spectacles.
Costumes, Chaos, and Community Fun
Fans and racers embrace the absurdity. Teams show up in themed costumes, spectators bring their best water soakers, and everyone leaves just a little wetter than they arrived…