Run of the Charles Needs Volunteers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Meg Schermerhorn (508) 698-6810 or rotc@crwa.org

Volunteers Needed for 33rd Annual

Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race

Come, Cheer and Volunteer!

Weston, MA – March 25, 2015 – The 33rd annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race, on Sunday April 26, 2015, is seeking volunteers to help facilitate the event and cheer on the paddlers! Volunteer duties include helping set up the race, registering paddlers, directing boat traffic through portages, checking boat numbers, posting results and helping with other details that make the Run of the Charles such a success each year. Nearly 150 volunteers are needed!

Volunteers get to share in the fun and excitement of being on the inside of a major event. The ‘Parrot Heads,’ a group of loyal volunteers, have been coming back every year for over a decade! They even have their own Jimmy Buffet theme! Each volunteer will receive a 2015 Run of the Charles t-shirt — a memento of your contribution to the preservation of the Charles River and your invaluable help at this event!

The Run of the Charles is hosted by the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), a non-profit organization committed to protecting and enhancing the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River and its tributaries and watersheds. The Run of the Charles is the largest flat bottom race in New England and attracts over 1,000 participants from all over the United States and Canada. Thousands of spectators line the sides of the riverbank to picnic and enjoy this exciting event.

Bob Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, said, “The hard work and commitment from our volunteers are what make this event possible each year. The Run of the Charles offers an exciting and engaging experience for both racers and volunteers, and their time and enthusiasm does not go unappreciated!”

The Run of the Charles offers all levels of competition and has something for everyone! As a volunteer, you could get a front-row view of the long distance competition, including a 26-mile flatwater marathon of elite professionals vying for $5,000 in cash prizes. There is also a 24-mile relay race for corporate, non-corporate, and collegiate groups with mixed and open classes. You might also see individual races, like the 19-mile, 9-mile, or 6-mile amateur races, which are open to anyone age 12 up.

Races begin at various times and locations. All sites require assistance of staff to assure everything runs efficiently and on time. Race starting points include Dedham, Needham, Newton, and Brighton.

All of the races end at DCR Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. Following the races will be the activities of the Finish Line Festival. All of the festivities are open to the public free of charge and include food, music, prizes, raffles, and more!

Gold Sponsors of the 2015 Run of the Charles include Boston Duck Tours, Charles River Canoe & Kayak and Wicked Local. The Bronze Sponsors for this year are ESP Solutions, Inc., Keewaydin, Skanska and New England BioLabs. Other supporting sponsors include Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Tetra Tech EC, BR+A, CDM Smith and Horsley Witten Group.

Founded in 1965, the 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 Canoe & Kayak Race celebrates the Charles River Watershed Association’s 50 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.