Run of the Charles
Cancelled
Cancelled
April 24, 1983: Inaugural Run of the Charles
It is with heavy hearts that after several long conversations with our race partners and consistent with CDC recommendations, we have decided to cancel this year’s Run of the Charles paddling race. We had hoped to postpone the race, but a number of factors make that choice impossible, which is why Run of the Charles always falls on an early (and often wet) spring day. Water levels after spring pose significant safety hazards. Summer on the Charles is also very busy with recreation from boat clubs, student-run programming, and the public. We proposed moving the race to the fall, but the number of rowers and boaters brought in by the Head of the Charles regatta would create too much traffic on the waters.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Madison Wolters with any questions—we look forward to seeing you out on the water in 2021!
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.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Madison Wolters with any questions—we look forward to seeing you out on the water in 2021!
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.
Questions?Meg Rivett, Race Coordinator rotc@crwa.org (508) 698-6810 More Information |
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