O'CRUD 2026

The O'CRUD 2026 (Open-water Catawba River Up and Down) is the official kickoff event for the 2026 Charlotte Open Water Swim Series. Held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the race takes place in the Catawba River, starting and finishing at the Mount Holly Boat Landing in North Carolina. The event is known for its unique "Up and Down" format, where participants begin with an in-water treading start, swim upstream for the first half of the distance, and then utilize the river's current to head back downstream to the finish line.

The event offers two distinct distances catering to endurance swimmers. A critical safety requirement for the 10K distance is that every swimmer must be accompanied by a kayak escort for the duration of the race. As of April 3, 2026, there are 27 participants registered for the opening leg of the series.

Mount Holly is a growing city in Gaston County, situated along the banks of the Catawba River with a population of approximately 18,500 residents. It is a key part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, which is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The demographic profile of Mount Holly is approximately 70% White, 18% Black or African American, and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income in the city is roughly $72,000, reflecting a community of young professionals and families drawn to its outdoor recreational opportunities.

The local culture is defined by its riverfront identity and a strong emphasis on fitness and conservation. The Catawba River is a vital natural resource managed by Duke Energy; its water levels and currents are central to the strategy of the O'CRUD race. For the local community, this event is more than a swim; it is a celebration of Mount Holly’s revitalization as a destination for eco-tourism and high-performance athletics. The Charlotte Open Water Swim Series brings together athletes from across the Carolinas, fostering a competitive spirit while highlighting the environmental health of the river basin.

Swimmers at O'CRUD are subject to specific wetsuit rules depending on water temperature, which typically ranges in the early May season. As the first event in the series, it sets the points leaderboard for subsequent races, including the Hell or High Water Swim and the Charlotte Open Water Championship. The logistics at the 724 Elm Avenue landing are optimized for athletes, providing body marking stations and a professional awards ceremony for top finishers in various age brackets.

On May 2nd, the Mount Holly Boat Landing will transform into a hub of endurance sports, showcasing the Catawba River as a premiere open-water venue. The success of the O'CRUD race reinforces Mount Holly's role as an active partner in the regional sporting economy, providing a challenging environment for swimmers to test their limits against the natural flow of the river.