Events · Putnam County
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The Mug Race
The world's longest river sailboat race
- When
- First Saturday in May
- Where
- Starts at Memorial Bridge, Palatka
- Cost
- Free to watch
- Official
- Details & dates ↗
Dates shift a little each year — confirm with the official source before you go.
Each spring, hundreds of sailboats line up at the Memorial Bridge in Palatka for The Mug Race — billed as the longest river sailboat race in the world. Crews race 38.5 miles up the St. Johns River to Jacksonville, and the Palatka riverfront makes a perfect free spot to watch the start.
Organized by the Rudder Club of Jacksonville, it’s a Palatka tradition that puts the river — and the town — on display for a regional sailing crowd.
Watching from Palatka? Grab breakfast or lunch at a local restaurant and explore the Palatka directory.
Good to know
- What is the Mug Race?
- A 38.5-mile sailboat race up the St. Johns River from Palatka to Jacksonville, billed as the longest river sailboat race in the world. It's organized by the Rudder Club of Jacksonville.
- When and where does it start?
- It starts on the first Saturday in May at the Memorial Bridge in Palatka. Confirm the date with the Rudder Club each year.
- Can I watch for free?
- Yes — the Palatka riverfront is a great free vantage point for the start.