16th Annual Hair of the Dog 5k, 1 Mile Walk and 29th Annual Leo Brady Ocean Plunge
Date and time
Friday, January 1, 2027
Date and time
Friday, January 1, 2027
Location
97 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE
Date and time
Friday, January 1, 2027
Location
97 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE
The Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation (QRCF) Presents the 16th Annual Hair of the Dog 5K / 1M and The 29th Annual Leo Brady Ocean Plunge
January 1, 2027 – Friday
Bethany Beach, DE
Onsite registrations on 12/31 from 1-4PM and on New Years Day from 0830-0930 for RUN/WALK. 0830-11:30 for Plunge into the Atlantic Ocean.
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT NOON ON 12/30/26 ONSITE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE ON 12/31/26 from 1PM until 3:30PM AT MANGOS IN BETHANY BEACH THERE WILL BE MINIMUM REGISTRATION AVAILABLE ON NEW YEARS DAY.
Ring in the 2027 New Year in the Quiet Resorts with a Run/Walk and Plunge. The Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation (QRCF) proudly presents the 16th Annual Hair of the Dog 5K run/one mile walk and the 30th Annual Leo Brady Polar Plunge! The 5K race and 1 Mile walk start at 10 AM after the Kiddie Dash. The Leo Brady Polar Plunge is at Noon. Please join us in celebrating the 2027 Hair of the Dog 5k run/one mile walk and Polar Plunge! All pre-registered (by December 15, 2026) registrants will receive a commemorative long sleeve tech t-shirt with a cool design in their desired size (unisex Tech Tee Shirts).
NEW DESIGN for the 2027 SHIRT WILL BE COMING SOON.
Online registration for these events closes Wednesday, December 30, 2026, at NOON. Packet pick up will be on Thursday, December 31, 2026, from 1PM - 3:30PM at Mangos in Bethany Beach. There will be onsite registration on Thursday, however, event shirts are NOT guaranteed unless you register by December 23rd.
View the 2026 Hair of the Dog - Leo Brady Plunge Participants Guide HAIR OF THE DOG RACE HIGHLIGHTS How It Works
Rain or shine event for all events (with the exception of lightning) Walkers permitted in the 1 Mile or 5K (No walker awards) Dog with Owners are permitted in the 1 Mile walk only. Please start in the back of the walkers Please have doggy doo doo; bags with you and all messes must be cleaned up by the Owner Strollers must start at the back of the 5K field There are NO refunds for ANY reason as these are charitable events. All Plungers must wear their wrist band to indicate affiliation with the event. Waivers must be signed for all participants. There will be lifeguards and is a plunge at your own risk event. Event organizers may cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
LIVE 5K or 1 Mile Walk - At the Boardwalk in downtown Bethany Beach, Delaware Registration Online registration closes Wednesday, December 30, 2026 at NOON. Event shirts (and desired sizes) are NOT guaranteed for registrations after December 15, 2026. Register Here NOTE: THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON Amenities Long-sleeve tech tee - NEW DESIGN FOR 2027 COMING SOON! Post 5k Run & 1 Mile Walk Event Celebration at Mango's in Bethany Beach from 10:30- Noon. (included in your registration, must wear your bib to enter) - The cost is $15 for non RUN/WALK participants. This includes beer for those over 21, snacks and enjoy the Chili Cook Off sponsored by multiple local restaurants.
Post Leo Brady Plunge Event Celebration at The Boathouse in Bethany Beach. The cost is $16 per person. Note that The Boathouse is also open to the public for the holiday weekend during these days/hours: The Boathouse will be open Saturday December 27th through Friday January 1st, New Years Day. Thursday January 1st Team Boathouse exclusive breakfast 10:30am. Boathouse opens to the public at noon for annual New Years Day Post plunge party with DJ Bump. Share Your Race Results Tracking with Runkeeper app To track with Runkeeper and automatically submit your results, Learn How
Note: All fees are non-refundable or transferable for any reason. 5K Registration - $35 and $42 after November 2, 2026 (Onsite registration is $42) 1 Mile Walk Registration - $27 and $35 after November 2, 2026 (Onsite registration is $35) Kiddie Dash - FREE (NO shirt or bibs) Plunge Only Registration - $25 (Onsite Registration is $30) Combination 1 Mile Walk and Plunge $45 and $55 after November 2, 2026 (Onsite Registration is $55) Combination 5K and Plunge $55 and $60 after November 2, 2026 (Onsite Registration is $60) Kids Plunge (16 and under) includes event shirt - $20 Additional Event Shirts - $20 Post Walk/Run Celebration at Mangos wristband for non Walk/Run participants - $17. Participants with a bib and non participants with a wrist band only are permitted. Post Plunge Celebration at The Boathouse (NOT included in plunge registration)
AWARDS 5K AWARDS - 5 YEAR AGE GROUPS! (Live event only) 1st Place overall Male and Female 1st Place Masters Male and Female (50-59) 1st Place Grand Masters Male and Female (60-69) 1st Place Sr Grand Masters Male and Female (70 and over) 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place age group Male 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place age group Female Five Year AGE GROUPS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25--29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55- 59, 60- 64, 65-69, 70+ You must be present to receive your award. We do not ship awards. Click Here For 5K Results
RACE AND WALK SCHEDULE:
Register - Online Only Thursday, December 31, 2026 Time: 1PM - 3:30PM *Packet pick-up at Mangos on Garfield in Bethany Beach. Onsite registration with no guarantee of the availability of event shirts. Team Boathouse onsite registration must register at The Boathouse. All others Walk, Run, Plunge or combination will register at Mangos. Friday, January 1, 2027 - Bethany Beach Bandstand Plaza Time: 8:30am - 9:45am *Event day packet pick-up - Limited onsite registration Time: 9:55am *Mandatory Pre-Race/Walk meeting at the starting line Time: 10 am *National Anthem at the Boardwalk Bandstand
*HOD - 16TH annual 5K Starts at Garfield and Atlantic Ave *1 Mile Walk starts after the 5K at approximately 10:05 Time: 11:00 *HOD 5k Awards Time: 11:00 - Noon Post RUN/WALK event celebration at Mangos (Mangos is CLOSED to the public) BETHANY BOATHOUSE- OPEN SPECIAL TIMES DURING THE NEW YEAR WEEK TO THE PUBLIC
Time: NOON 29th Annual Leo Brady Polar Plunge on the beach in front of the boardwalk/stage. The Boathouse is open to the public. Registration to the plunge DOES NOT include access to the unlimited nacho bar. There are drink specials at The Boathouse. The Boathouse will be open Sunday December 27th through Friday January 1st, New Years Day. Team Boathouse exclusive breakfast 10:30. The Boathouse opens to the public at noon for annual New Years Day Post plunge party with DJ Bump.
WHO IS LEO BRADY? The founder of the Plunge in 1997. The event was named after him in 2002. In 2010, the event was held in his honor. He was a father, a U.S. Army Veteran, a lifetime Chamber Member, and a 2001 Lighthouse Award recipient, volunteer, and friend of the community.
VOLUNTEER: Not interested in plunging but still want to get involved? Sign up to volunteer! All volunteer opportunities can be found here. Need community service hours? Please be sure to bring the proper paperwork to be signed!
5K
1 mile