FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meg Rivett (508) 498-8020, rotc@crwa.org
Charles River Watershed Association’s Run of the Charles to be Held Virtually
Registration Now Open for Boston’s Premier Paddling Race
WESTON, MA — April 15, 2021 — Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has announced that this year’s 39th Run of the Charles will take place virtually. Boston’s Premier Paddling Race, which was cancelled last year because of the pandemic, will be held virtually for the first time, beginning on Sunday, April 25 and continuing through Sunday, May 23.
Registration is now open at Run of the Charles - Charles River Watershed Association (crwa.org) for any or all of four separate paddling races plus two new events – a 5k Walk/Run along the Charles and the 3 Rivers Challenge being held in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
Run of the Charles is a signature event for Charles River Watershed Association and has kicked off Boston’s paddling season for the past thirty-eight years. The race was established to get people out on the Charles and celebrate CRWA's remarkable work in cleaning up a river that many once deemed beyond saving. CRWA is the leading science and advocacy organization for the Charles River and its watershed and has played a major role in restoring the Charles and re-establishing it as a destination for paddlers and nature lovers alike.
“While we had high hopes to do our beloved event in person, we have put together a fun and interactive event that will get people out on the Charles where they can enjoy the sights and sounds of spring. We are excited to keep the competition alive after having to cancel last year due to the pandemic,” said Emily Norton, Executive Director of CRWA.
“We can talk all day long about the resources and benefits the Charles River provides and why we need to invest in a clean, healthy river but at the end of the day, there’s no argument more convincing than a day out on the river itself.”
“In this day of over a year of work from home, Zoom meetings and virtual conferences, we’re hoping that our event encourages people to socially distance get outside on the river with friends and family to enjoy nature while helping to raise imperative funds for the CRWA.”
For this year's paddle race, individual paddlers and teams have the option of four different routes, some routes in areas of the Charles where participants may have never paddled before.
The race routes being offered for paddling include:
5 Mile Route
Start and Finish are at DCR Parking Lot across from Charles River Canoe & Kayak: Newton Historic Boathouse, 2401 Commonwealth Ave Newton MA 02466. This route and the Relay Race route will be the same.
11 Mile Route
Eliot Bridge to Lechmere Canal Park (counterclockwise turn around the fountain)
12 Mile Route
Charles River Park to Nahanton park (one way)
13 Mile Route
Charles River Canoe and Kayak launch, Millis to South Natick
