Dorchester County is known for its beautiful views, delicious seafood, bountiful shoreline, abundant wildlife and, … endurance events? There is a plethora of upcoming events to bike, swim and run one’s way into 2019. If endurance is what you craze, look into the following events:

Race2Erase PTSD

April 8

Choose from a 10-mile run, a 5K run, or a 1-mile fun run. Race2Erase PTSD is designed to be a fun and relaxing event for everyone, while raising awareness for those who fight PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Race day is April 8 at Hoopers Island Road in Church Creek. The courses capture the natural beauty of the area. Race2Erase PTSD founder and Dorchester County native Jenny Gootee Whitten is a businesswoman, wife and athlete. She is smart, brave and compassionate. Like many runners, Jenny runs to cope with the complicated symptoms of PTSD. To register and find out more about the race, visit www.race2erase.org.

Crab Run – Half Marathon & 5K

April 14

This year marks the ninth Crab Run, which serves as a fundraiser for the Dorchester Family YMCA. Runners of all abilities enjoy the fast, flat, fun and beautiful course.

Half Marathon: The Crab Run Half Marathon duplicates the majority of the run course of the IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman triathlon. Runners of all abilities enjoy the fast, flat, fun and beautiful course. Course will be open for 3.5 hours (7:30-11 a.m.).

* 5K Run & Fun Walk: The 5K course takes runners and walkers along the banks of the Choptank River. Strollers are welcome and encouraged but dogs are not allowed on the course.

* King Crab Challenge: Complete the Half Marathon (must complete in 2 hours) and then run the 5K! Visit ymcachesapeake.org for more information.

Six Pillars Century Cycling Event

May 5

The 2017 Blackwater Tour takes place at the Great Marsh Park in Cambridge on Saturday, May 5. The majority of this ninth annual bicycle ride is through the beautiful and picturesque Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This is a show and go event. The Blackwater Tour has three rides/courses:

* 37 Mile Fun and Fitness Course

* 56 Mile Eagleman Ironman 70.3 Course

* 100 Mile Century Course

The event will support Character Counts Mid-Shore, Inc., an agency which is best known for providing the Winners Walk Tall Program to over 8,100 students in the public schools in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties free of charge. Over 300 trained volunteers, known as Character Coaches, visit classrooms each week to deliver lessons based on the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. For 18 years, character lessons have had a positive impact on the behavior of youth in the schools on the Mid Shore. Questions? Call 410-819-0386 or email sixpillarscentury@gmail.com. Find more info at www.6pillarscentury.org.

Great Chesapeake Bay Wellness Race

May 12

Join a 10K race, 5K race, or one-mile Family Walk on Saturday, May 12 during the Great Chesapeake Bay Wellness Race in Cambridge. The running and walking track will be on the golf course at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort. Race entry fee includes a T-shirt, refreshments, post-race breakfast, and prizes. The event benefits the Eastern Shore Hospital Center Auxiliary. Enter as an individual or as a team. Watch for information and updates at eshconline.org or call 410-221-2358 or register online on Active.com.

Maryland Freedom Swim

May 20

Ever driven over the Frederick C. Malkus Jr. bridge (Choptank River Bridge) on Route 50 and wondered what it would be like to swim from one side to the other? Well if you are one of THOSE folks, the Maryland Freedom Swim is a race for you. On Sunday, May 20, join the inaugural group of swimmers as they navigate between the bridges from the Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park on the Talbot County side to the Sailwinds Park beach access point (near the Dorchester Visitor Center) on the Dorchester County side. This 1.7-mile trip across the Choptank River will be supported by paddle craft, motor craft and the US Coast Guard. Experience is required. Make no mistakes about it, this is not for the inexperienced swimmer. This straight course may sound simple, but the Choptank River is a flowing body of water and swimmers will be navigating around/through two bridges. Participants must show proof of open water swimming experience (triathlon, open water swim events, etc) or that you have successfully completed a one-mile pool swim in one hour. This is a great tune-up race for the Bay Swim, the Ocean Games and especially the Eagleman 70.3 Ironman Maryland race. Water temperature is expected to be in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Swimmers will be required to wear a wetsuit. For details and registration information, visit runsignup.com/marylandfreedomswim.

IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman Triathlon

June 10

Watch the excitement as triathletes from all over the world take on a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run on Sunday, June 10. The triathletes swim 1.2 miles in the waters of the Choptank, cycle 56 miles through the stunning Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and run 13.1 miles through the streets of Cambridge – 70.3 miles in all. More than 800 community volunteers help make the event happen. Volunteers are needed. Most of the action happens at Cambridge’s Great Marsh Park (where the race begins and finishes, and where athletes transition from swim to bike and from bike to run). Great Marsh Park is located at Somerset Avenue, on the banks of the Choptank River. Visit ironman.com.

Firecracker Kids’ Triathlon

July 4

Let the kids in on the fun and challenge with their very own triathlon. New for 2018: The age range has been expanded – the event welcomes children ages 7 to 15. The event is organized by Cambridge Multi-Sport. The fifth annual Firecracker Kids’ Tri will be held at the Dorchester Family YMCA in Cambridge. This event will challenge kids to complete a swim, bike and run event in a highly supportive and motivating community environment. All proceeds from this event will go back to the YMCA. Awards will be issued to the top male and female finishers in each age group. Visit ymcachesapeake.org for more information.

Heart of the Chesapeake Bike Tour

July 21

With over 1,700 miles of shoreline and 600 square miles of land, Dorchester County hosts a rich and diverse history. The Heart of the Chesapeake Bike Tour on July 21 takes one along several of these stops including a Winery and the Chicone Indian Village. There are three ride choices: a 64-mile metric century, a 30-mile tour, and a 10-mile family ride. The ride is organized by the Dorchester County Family YMCA. The event supports the Dorchester YMCA Bob Brannock Endowment Fund. “Mr. Bob” was an integral part of the Y family and volunteered countless hours to help make the Y a better place. The Heart of the Chesapeake Bike Tour winds cyclists through the beautiful county of Dorchester and all rides are flat and in low-traffic areas. Register on Active.com or visit ymcachesapeake.org for details.

Wild Goose Chase Women’s Bike Tour

September 8-9

The Wild Goose Chase, a bicycle week for women, is based in Cambridge, with all rides taking place in and around the spectacular Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The Wild Goose Chase is more than a one-day ride. It’s now a week bicycle festival with self-guided bicycle rides and kayak rentals on Saturday, September 8, with the original Wild Goose Chase bike ride on Sunday, September 9. Blackwater Wildlife Refuge features flat roads, low to no traffic, and pristine salt marshes offering protection for migratory waterfowl. The area, once threatened by development, was the motivation for the Wild Goose Chase in 2008. Established as a fundraiser to help protect the refuge, the Wild Goose Chase has generated more than $150,000 for the Friends of Blackwater. For details, email wildgooseride@gmail.com.

IRONMAN Maryland 2018

September 29

Watch the excitement as triathletes from all over the world take on one of the most grueling endurance events around – a 140.6-mile triathlon in and around Cambridge – one of only a dozen IRONMAN full-length triathlons in the country. The 2.4-mile swim will take place in the Choptank River. The 112-mile bike will take athletes through Dorchester County and into the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The 26.2-mile run is flat on country roads providing a scenic and fast course, with some miles in downtown Cambridge with high-energy excitement. The race begins with the swim on the Choptank River waterfront. The race finishes at Long Wharf Park, at High and Water streets in Cambridge, also on the waterfront. Spectators are welcome to watch the excitement at Great Marsh Park, site of the swim and the transitions between swim and bike and then bike and run; and at Long Wharf Park. IRONMAN Maryland will offer age group qualifying slots to the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in fall 2019 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i. The event needs more than 1,000 volunteers. Learn how you can get involved. Don’t want to participate but want to be a part of the excitement? Join the booster club, IRONClub Maryland at www.ironclubmd.com.