What To Know About This Year's Run of the Charles in Newton

This Sunday, the Charles River is going to flooded with boaters from Needham through Newton all the way to Boston for the 35th Anniversary Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race. Every year the race, which marks the start of boating season on the Charles is a big deal, but this year the race will mark the Charles River Watershed Association's 50 years of work to improve the health and beauty of the Charles River and its tributaries.

More than 1,000 canoe and kayak enthusiasts, amateur, and recreational, from throughout the US, ages 12 and up, will compete in a variety of races, including the 24-Mile Relay Race, and 19-, 9-, and 6-mile races. The 9-mile race begins in Newton and will, like all the other races end at the DCR's Artesani Park.

And speaking of finishing: The Finish Line will be in full festival mode. Free to all racers and spectators, the finish line festival will include day-long live music, raffle prizes and vendors who will be on site to showcase their products and talents. There is also a playground.

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One of the country's oldest watershed organizations, Charles River Watershed Association was formed in 1965 in response to public concern about the declining condition of the Charles. Since its earliest days of advocacy, the association has figured prominently in major clean-up and watershed protection efforts, working with government officials and citizen groups from 35 Massachusetts watershed towns from Hopkinton to Boston, according to its website.

The Newton 9-mile race begins at noon at the Norumbega Duck Feeding Area.

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