Sat, Aug 22, 2026

The Mermaid Run

Aberdeen, MD

Registration openAnnual since at least 2021

5K1 Mile5K

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Aug 21, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Mermaid Run

The Mermaid Run takes place at Festival Park, a flat course where costumes are part of the scene. The organizer actively encourages dressing up, and there is music on course. The race benefits the Sea of Hope Foundation, which supports families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, so the morning carries some weight alongside the fun.

Packet pickup opens early on race morning near the playground at Festival Park. An early pickup option is planned for the days before the race, with details to be announced closer to the event.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

3.11 Miles · 2025 results

413finishers

18:24winner

37:51median

1:27:41cutoff

Top 3: John Ford (18:24) · Tristan Whitaker (18:45) · Sophia Prior (20:22)

The Mermaid Run has been held every year since at least 2021. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.11 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.11 Miles8/22/2026 08:00$40

1 Mile8/22/2026 08:00$35

3.1 Miles8/22/2026 08:00$45

3.11 Miles8/22/2026 08:00$55

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

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Common Questions About the The Mermaid Run

Will I finish last at the Mermaid Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.11 Miles field finished slower than 37:51, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:27:41, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Mermaid Run a good first 3.11 Miles?

A field of 413 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.11 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Mermaid Run?

The 3.11 Miles winner ran 18:24 while the median finisher took 37:51. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.