Run of the Charles
Spring 2021
Spring 2021
April 24, 1983: Inaugural Run of the Charles
The Inaugural Run of the Charles was a disaster. Weather took a dramatic turn for the worst by midday, and only 58 of the 110 boats finished the race.
Despite the odds, the first canoe marathon in decades sparked something in paddlers, and numbers doubled the following year. As one competitor remarked afterwards, “The Run of the Charles is one of the most beautiful and interesting courses we’ve ever seen. I’m certain it could become a real classic.”
Between the well-executed planning and the surprising challenge that the Charles offers as a course, it quickly became the largest flat-bottomed boat race in New England. The inaugural race hosted 352 participants—the fifth welcomed 1,570!
The Run of the Charles was established by then-executive director of CRWA, Rita Barron. It was one of her many initiatives to get people out on the river and celebrate CRWA's remarkable work in cleaning up a river that others had deemed beyond saving.
“We’re the people who make sure the water’s clean enough for you to fall into,” she joked in an interview. “There was a time that when the weather turned warm, people would go away from the river because it stank. But now the Charles is a national model for restoration of urban rivers.”
Today, the Run of the Charles carries on this legacy with new courses and a Finishline Festival, which hosts an award ceremony and welcomes paddlers and spectators alike with a live band, raffle, food trucks, vendors, and a New Belgium beer garden.
Despite the odds, the first canoe marathon in decades sparked something in paddlers, and numbers doubled the following year. As one competitor remarked afterwards, “The Run of the Charles is one of the most beautiful and interesting courses we’ve ever seen. I’m certain it could become a real classic.”
Between the well-executed planning and the surprising challenge that the Charles offers as a course, it quickly became the largest flat-bottomed boat race in New England. The inaugural race hosted 352 participants—the fifth welcomed 1,570!
The Run of the Charles was established by then-executive director of CRWA, Rita Barron. It was one of her many initiatives to get people out on the river and celebrate CRWA's remarkable work in cleaning up a river that others had deemed beyond saving.
“We’re the people who make sure the water’s clean enough for you to fall into,” she joked in an interview. “There was a time that when the weather turned warm, people would go away from the river because it stank. But now the Charles is a national model for restoration of urban rivers.”
Today, the Run of the Charles carries on this legacy with new courses and a Finishline Festival, which hosts an award ceremony and welcomes paddlers and spectators alike with a live band, raffle, food trucks, vendors, and a New Belgium beer garden.
Questions?Meg Rivett, Race Coordinator rotc@crwa.org (508) 698-6810 More Information |
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