First ever Cranford Tuff Paddle race June 2

A new event sponsored by Cranford Community Connection, Cranford Tuff Paddle is not your typical team obstacle course fun run. Heck there's only one obstacle you'll need to literally navigate: The Rahway River.

Teams will start off with a quarter mile run around the perimeter of McConnell Park then head down Central Avenue to the canoe launch at Girl Scout Park. Here, teams will navigate the Rahway River upstream to the
Nomahegan Park turnaround point. At Nomahegan, paddlers will tie up their canoes and face another quarter-mile trail run in the park. Runners will then head back to their canoes and paddle downstream to
McConnell Park. Here, paddlers will portage (that means carry!) their canoes 100 yards across the park and re-enter the river. Continuing downstream, they will paddle past the Cranford Canoe Club to the low-water dam at Sperry Park. Paddlers will again tie up their canoes for a quarter-mile run and low-water stream crossings. Runners will get back into their canoe and paddle to the Finish Festival located at the Cranford Canoe Club.

Overall race time is estimated to be around 65 to 75 minutes for the winner. Participants can paddle as hard or easy as they like. Those that wish to compete may while others may choose to participate at their own pace.

Pre-race check-in will be at the Cranford Canoe Club. Please be reminded that there are no facilities at McConnell Park.

The run sections will be primarily on dirt or grass. Expect to get your shoes wet or muddy at the canoe launches, take-outs and the low-water crossing. Personal flotation devices (aka life jackets) are required for
all participants and will be provided.

The admission fee is for one team of two participants.

Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/c...

Total running distance is approximately 1 mile; total paddling is approximately 2.7 miles; and portage is approximately 125 yards across McConnell Park.