2026 Against the Tide Events

UPDATE regarding the swim events scheduled as part of Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s 27th Annual Against the Tide at Nickerson State Park in Brewster this Saturday, June 27:

After careful consideration and continued communication with officials at Nickerson State Park, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all swim events due to the unsafe presence of cyanobacteria in Cliff Pond.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has advised that the public should avoid contact with the water while the cyanobacteria bloom remains present. As cyanobacteria concerns continue to affect waterways across Massachusetts, current conditions at Cliff Pond do not meet the standards necessary to safely conduct the swim events.

In our 34 years of hosting the Hopkinton event and 26 years of hosting the Cape event, we have never had to cancel the swim portion. While both locations have occasionally experienced algae blooms in the past, conditions have always improved in time for event day. Unfortunately, that has not occurred in Brewster this year.

We understand how disappointing this news is. However, health and safety must come first. Pet owners should also keep their animals away from the shoreline to prevent them from ingesting the water.

The remainder of the event will continue as scheduled! Warm-up exercises and the National Anthem will now begin at 8:00 AM. Enjoy music from Coxswain Media starting at 7:00 AM, plus coffee and bagels courtesy of Dunkin’. The registration tent will open at 7:00 AM as planned.

Registered swimmers are invited to participate in one of our other event options: the USATF-certified 5K Run, USATF-certified 10K Run, or the 3-Mile Fitness Walk.

Our volunteers will assist with transfers at the registration tent, or participants may transfer themselves through Race Roster before the event.

Participants choosing the 3-Mile Fitness Walk may walk at their own pace, and there is no requirement to complete the full 3-mile course. Even if you choose not to participate in another event, we hope you will still join us on the beach to enjoy the festivities, refreshments, and community spirit. Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to MBCC’s mission. Your support means so much to us.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CAPE AGAINST THE TIDE TIMING RESULTS!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HOPKINTON AGAINST THE TIDE TIMING RESULTS!

Against the Tide is a family-friendly, multi-sport, rain or shine event to benefit the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC). The funds raised through Against the Tide help to support and expand our community education program Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures, MBCC Webinar Series, and the newly-expanded student environmental health program, Let’s Talk Prevention: Actions You Can Take.

We are grateful to all of you who help prioritize breast cancer prevention. Above and beyond your commitment to participate in the Against the Tide event, we hope that you will create or join a team and fundraise on behalf of MBCC and our important mission to change the legacy of breast cancer for future generations.

Refunds are not allowed for this event. The participation of minor children under the age of 18 in the Against the Tide events must be authorized by a parent or guardian, and the parent/guardian must sign the Release and Indemnity Agreement.

There is no early bib pickup — bibs can be picked up at registration the morning of the event. Wetsuits are permitted. No dogs or other pets, with exception of service animals, allowed on beach.

If you are unfamiliar with the process to create or join a team and fundraise, scroll down to the Event Information section below for helpful documents. Also available is a fundraising pledge sheet to help record and track your fundraising!

Participants can create or join a team during the registration process on Race Roster. Please note that new teams cannot be created after registration is complete.

Walk-in registration is welcome on the morning of each event starting at 7AM. However, given the locations of the in-person events, please be aware that the internet connection may be limited and MBCC might have to rely on cash transactions.

Click the links below to view the RaceRoster event pages and donate to a participant or team:

Hopkinton’s 34th Year – June 20th
Brewster’s 27th Year (Cape Cod) – June 27th
Virtual – June 20th to June 27th

For technical support with registering or setting up your fundraising page, please contact Race Roster at +1 855-969-5515 or https://raceroster.com/contact.

Online registration closes at 5:00 PM the evening before each event. Walk-in registration is welcome the morning of the event at the registration tent starting at 7:00 AM.

Virtual Event Information: By registering for any single virtual event component, you will be able to submit results to any, or all, of the events you would like to virtually participate in. That means you can build your team, fundraise, and participate in as many virtual Against the Tide components that you want!

Event Information

Route Maps

USATF Certification Codes

  • Brewster 5K: MA23006BK
  • Brewster 10K: MA23007BK
  • Hopkinton 5K: MA15005BK
  • Hopkinton 10K: MA15006BK

Any interested student should reach out to Charles McGinn (mbcc.charles@gmail.com) to learn more about volunteering and sign up for either ATT event.

Available volunteer roles include Event Greeters, Vendor Support, Swim Guide, Run Guide, Walk Guide, and Event Set-Up and Tear-Down.

Volunteer support is needed on the day of the event as well as for the day before, and shifts range from 6AM to 1PM.

Parents and community members are also welcomed to volunteer and should send Cheryl Osimo an email to set up a Zoom meeting for more information.