Local Lexington Paddlers Among Finishers in 34th Annual Run of the Charles: Boston's Premier Paddling Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Meg Farrer: (508) 698-6810; rotc@crwa.org

Weston, MA – May 20, 2016 – The 34th annual Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race and the signature event of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), saw nearly 800 paddlers race down Boston’s famed Charles River on Sunday, April 24. Racers were greeted Sunday morning to sunshine, over 200 excited volunteers and thousands of spectators cheering them on along the route. The race drew crowds from all over to the riverbanks in Dedham and Needham all the way to the Finish Line Festival at DCR’s Artesani Park in Allston.

Kenny Lamm and Douglas Lamm of Lexington finished 1st in the Open Category of the Rec OC-2 6 with a time of 1:14:59. Caroline Thuma of Lexington finished 3rd in the Open Category of the Rec OC-2 19-mile with a time of 7:09:35.Nigel Pickering and Roberta O’Connor, paddlers for Horsely Witten, finished 15th in the Corporate Category of the Rec OC-2 24-mile with a time of 5:21:59 and Laurel Carpenter and Gred Shenston, paddlers for the BR+A Silver team, finished 28th with a time of 5:46:16.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day,” said CRWA Executive Director, Bob Zimmerman. “The Finish Line Festival at DCR’s Artesani Park was full of excitement with family, friends, co-workers and spectators who cheered each other on. The finish line also featured great live music and good food. We are extremely thankful for the support we have received from the volunteers, sponsors and participants who took part in this wonderful event!”

The Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race is the largest paddling event in New England and celebrates the ongoing improvements of the Charles River by CRWA. Paddlers came from all over New England as well as from Florida, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. This year featured over 200 boats including 19 paddleboards, a growing division in the race.

Among the most challenging features of the Run of the Charles are the six portages where boats must be carried around an obstruction. The dams in Newton, Wellesley, Waltham and Watertown forced paddlers off the river and onto their feet, shouldering their boats while they ran to the designated spot where they could get back on the water and resume paddling. Paddlers raced across Route 16 on the Newton-Wellesley line and across Moody Street in Waltham, running for nearly a half-mile on each of these portages before putting their boats back into the river.

The Run of the Charles featured a variety of races. The 24-Mile Relay Race attracted many corporate teams seeking a great bonding experience, while the 19-Mile, 9-Mile and 6-Mile races brought out paddlers ranging in age and experience from juniors to seniors. Races started in Dedham, Needham, Newton, and Brighton.

“The Charles River means so much to the people in and around the greater Boston area,” added Zimmerman. “The key to maintaining the Charles River is to increase awareness and educate the public in order to protect and maintain the beauty and health of the River.”

All of the races ended at DCR’s Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton, where all racers and spectators were invited to the free Finish Line Festival. There was live music by Mid Life Crisis, prizes, raffles, and food from Blazing Salads on Wheels and Mimzee’s Ice Cream. Other vendors included Ameriprise Financial, Amergy Solar, Bai Water, Hills Home Market, Charles River Canoe and Kayak, Renewal by Andersen and Steve & Kate’s Camp.

Gold Sponsors of the 2016 Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race included Boston Duck Tours, Charles River Canoe & Kayak and Wicked Local. The Bronze Sponsors were ESP Solutions and New England BioLabs. Supporting Sponsors included BR+A, CDM Smith, Horsley Witten Group, L.L. Bean, Tetra Tech, Skanska and VHB. In Kind Sponsors included Bass Pro Shops, Dedham Medial Associates, Moseley’s on the Charles and Patagonia.

Founded in 1965, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is one of the country’s oldest watershed associations, developed in response to the declining conditions of the Charles. The Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race celebrates the Charles River Watershed Association’s 51 years of improvements to the health, beauty and enjoyment of the Charles River and its tributaries.

For more information on sponsorship, registration or any other aspect of the race, please call (508) 698-6810, e-mail rotc@crwa.org or visit www.charlesriver.org.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS UPON REQUEST