Teams and Sponsors welcome at Charles River Watershed Association's Run of the Charles: Boston's Premier Paddling Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Meg Rivett (508) 698-6810, rotc@crwa.org

Teams and Sponsors welcome at Charles River Watershed Association’s

Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

The Perfect Team-Building and Community Service Event!

Weston, MA – January 28, 2016 – The 34th Annual Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race, taking place on Sunday, April 24, 2016, is the perfect opportunity for companies and organizations to form teams and participate in this team-building event which kicks off spring.

Run of the Charles is a fundraising event that supports the Charles River Watershed Associating (CRWA). The work done by CRWA over the past 50 years has greatly improved the health of the Charles River which is now considered the “cleanest urban river in the United States” according to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency.

For thirty-four years the race has attracted paddlers and spectators alike. The race’s Finish Line Festival at DCR’s Artesani Park in Brighton is free and hosts day-long entertainment with live music, concessions and vendors, along with a playground.

“This event would not be possible if it wasn’t for the enthusiastic involvement of its participants, volunteers and staff,” said CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. “The Run of the Charles is an extraordinary bonding experience for corporations and organizations along with a day filled with fun and support for a great cause.”

The Run of the Charles offers races for everyone. The 24-Mile Canoe Relay consists of five legs with two paddlers per leg, making it the perfect race for corporate team building. Shorter-distance canoe and kayak races are also popular, such as the 19-Mile, 9-Mile and 6-Mile races. The 6-Mile race is open paddlers of all ages with juniors age 12 and up competing alongside seniors in their 60s and 70s. Over 1,300 paddlers across New England participate in this springtime community event.

Over 40 corporate teams and 15 non-corporate relay teams enter each year. The corporate relay race is perfect for engineering, law and consulting firms while non-corporate, local colleges, government agencies and neighborhood groups compete in their own relay divisions. If you want to challenge your co-workers to go up against some of these high powered organizations, start building your team and register now!

Suffolk Construction is one of the most successful privately held building contractors in the country and has participated in the annual Run of the Charles 24-mile relay canoe race for the last 14 years. Last year, the Suffolk team had 5 race teams of 10 paddlers each.

Representing 4 teams at last year’s race was Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, a reconstructing company that works across the United States, Canada and in more than thirty additional countries. They have worked on some of the most well known buildings such as the New York State Capitol, National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Massachusetts State House and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous waste, the timely cleanup of hazardous sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. DEP entered 2 teams into the Government 24-mile relay last year.

Known for supplying the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research, New England Biolabs is long time sponsor of Run of the Charles and has participated in the 24-mile relay canoe race with 3 corporate teams, 1 women’s team and 1 mixed team. Last years, one of the corporate teams and the women’s team placed first, making them tough to beat this year.

Located just blocks away from the Charles River is Northeastern University, home to the Northeastern University Huskiers and Outing Club who entered the 2015 Run of the Charles with 4 open teams.

The Charles River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization committed to protecting and enhancing the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River and its watershed.

CRWA welcomes sponsorships for Run of the Charles. For more information on sponsorship, registration or any other aspect of the race, please call (508) 698-6810 x10, e-mail rotc@crwa.org or visit www.charlesriver.org.