Run of the Charles: Boston's Premier Paddling Race

All questions and protests shall be referred to the race committee. All decisions of race officials will be final.

Waivers - All racers must sign an insurance waiver with the submission of their registration or on the day of the race. Parents/guardians of minors (under 18) entering the race must sign a waiver either in advance or on race day. Any relay substitutions must sign a waiver at their leg start or their boat will be pulled from the race. A copy of the waiver is included in this race packet. Each paddler should complete a waiver and return it with their registration to save time on Race Day. This will be done automatically if you register online.

Pre-Race Meeting - A representative from each team must attend a pre-race meeting immediately before the relevant start to review the course, potential hazards, medical emergency procedures, communications and safety procedures. This information must be distributed by the representative to all team members. If you're paddling on a relay team, only leg one needs to be at pre-race meeting. Race start and meeting times are included on page 6.

Please refer to our Guide To Racers for boat specifications

Questions about boat specifications should be made prior to submitting the race registration. Measurements should be made prior to race day. Questions regarding boat classes should be emailed to race@paddleboston.com. PLEASE NOTE: Compliance with Official Race Rules, including the use of official boats and paddles, qualifies the paddler for official times. Those who wish to participate using any non-official boats, paddles, portage wheels, etc., are welcome to register, with the understanding that they will not qualify for official times, and that they may not in any way interfere with the progress of official participants.

Protests - On race day, boats will be measured at the finish line only if there is an official protest made against that boat. An official boat protest form must be filled out within 30 mins of their race finish and the protested boat must be presented within 15 mins.

Canoe Paddles - All canoe paddles, including bent shaft paddles, are allowed in ALL canoe classes.

Kayak Paddles - All kayak paddles, including wing paddles, are allowed in ALL kayak classes.

Categories (categories apply to 3-, 6-, 9-mile races), see page 14 for 14-mile race categories

Open - Age 16+ (usually fastest category) Mixed - One male and one female per boat (in each relay leg)

Junior - Age 11-15 Women - Females Age 16+

Masters - Age 40-59* Junior/Adult- Adult age 30+ and a junior age 11-15

Senior - Age 60-69* Veteran - Age 70+*

*if paddling in a pair, youngest paddler's age dictates category

All decisions of race officials will be final.

Life Jackets - Massachusetts law requires life jackets to be worn by all paddlers on water before May 15. Every paddler must wear a Coast Guard Approved life jacket at all times while on the water during the race. A seat cushion is not an approved device. Paddlers are to supply their own life jackets.

Whistles - Safety rules require each boat to have at least one whistle while on the water. Whistles are provided at race start. For relays, the whistle must stay with the boat and be passed to the next relay team.

If you drop out, you must notify a race official at one of the checkpoints. Checkpoints - Paddlers must clear check points by the following times. Course support and timing will not be available for paddlers after these cut-off times: Moody Street - 12:30 PM, Watertown Dam - 1:30 PM, Watertown Bridge - 2:00 PM, DCR's Herter Park - 2:30 PM.

Boats must remain on water at all times except at designated portages.

Each boat will have its assigned number affixed to both sides of the bow.

10 person relay teams with only 8 paddlers may have 2 of their members paddle 2 legs of the race (consecutive or not), but no more. 5 person relay teams may have 2 of their members paddle 2 legs of the race (consecutive or not), but no more.

Relay teams hand off whistle to next group/person. Relay racers may consist of 5 or 10 members. For Paddleboard or Kayak Relay racers, you may use your own boat, you do not have to use one boat for entire race. If racers plan to switch boats, the boat sticker/number should be affixed to a vest that will be handed off so that the NUMBER finishes with the last paddler.

10 person teams may designate up to four team members to carry the canoe at each portage. 5 person teams can use 2 people. In order to portage a canoe, a team member must have paddled at least one leg of the race. Non-motorized portage wheels are allowed in all classes and must stay with boat at all times.

Competitors are responsible for their own transportation.

All races finish at the Finish Line Festival, DCR’s Herter Park, Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA.

The lane on Soldiers Field Road will NOT be available for parking. Vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. Alternate parking is available in three DCR lots east of the Finish Line.

No refunds will be given. Event is held rain or shine.

Alcohol is only permitted in the designated area within the Beer Garden. No outside alcohol is allowed.

Failure to comply with these or any race rules as given on the day of the race may result in disqualification.

We’ve received your registration for the 2025 Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race coming up on Sunday, April 27.

I’m attaching here some items that may help your planning including:

• Driving directions
• Waiver (in case you have not yet filled it out) email to rotc@crwa.org
• Registration list as of this morning. Please email me any additional information or corrections before next Tuesday, April 22 so I can make adjustments before printing for volunteers/site boxes. rotc@crwa.org
• PDF of food menu

Here are some ways you can prepare for the big day!

The Run of the Charles happens rain or shine. Please dress appropriately and bring extra dry clothes in zip-seal bags so you’ll be comfortable. With the long winter, the water will be very cold! We also recommend Chapstick and sunblock (let’s hope we have a sunny race day! We only have food and water available at the Finish Line, please be prepared.

Please arrive at the starting point for your race (or your leg of the relay race) early. The time listed for registration is when paddlers can START registering. We suggest getting checked in and finding a coffee and your paddler friends to hang out for a while. You will have to check in and sign the waiver form before you can begin (most have already done so online or sent them to me via your team captain. Volunteers will know if you have pre-signed). See end of email for registration location/check in times and race meeting times. Please keep in mind that relay team members traveling on the water could potentially reach the next checkpoint before their team members who are driving to the next stop. You will want to plan accordingly.

You will receive a blue wristband during registration. Keep this wristband on until the end of your race and trade it in at the finish line for your complimentary beverage in the beer garden. You must have a valid photo ID to be served. There will also be beer and seltzers for sale (more info below) in the beer garden.

Walk-on registrations are welcome, but will take longer. If you know someone planning to race, please encourage them to pre-register by 9:00am Thursday, April 24 to minimize their check-in time. Pricing also goes up on April 24.

Flagging Tape

The role of the flagging tape (used to be balloons) is to give the paddlers information and confidence that they are in the right place. YELLOW indicates a take-out is about to come up on the side the yellow balloons are placed. RED indicates take out location. BLUE lines portage route. GREEN indicates put in location.

Portaging for 14 Mile Relay

Teams may designate up to four team members to carry the canoe at each portage. In order to portage a canoe, a team member must have paddled at least one leg of the race. Non-motorized portage wheels are allowed in all classes and must stay with the boat at all times.

The receiving team qualifies to be part of the carry team, as well as anyone from a previous hand-off team (paddlers must have already registered and have on their blue wristband to prove they are a paddler). This provides maximum flexibility w/o allowing meddling by non-paddlers or the teams who are supposed to be waiting patiently downriver for the next hand-off.

There are three portages this year (only in the 9- and 14-mile races).

Disqualifications: Obey the race rules and follow the directions of the officials and race staff. Failure to comply can result in your disqualification.

• Coast-Guard-approved Life Jackets must be worn, and properly secured, while on the water. You must provide your own life jacket.(if you rented your boat through Charles River Canoe & Kayak, they provide life jackets). USCG approved inflatable lifejackets are allowed.

• Keep your whistle with the boat at all times. You will receive one whistle per boat when registering on-site.

Checkpoints - Boats must clear the following checkpoints by the following designated times.

Moody Street Dam - 12:30 PM

Watertown Dam - 1:30 PM

Finish Line, DCR’s Artesani Park – 2:00 PM

TEAMS WILL BE PULLED IF THEY DON’T CLEAR THE CHECKPOINTS BY THE DESIGNATED TIMES. Paddlers will be asked to remain there until someone from Paddle Boston can come pick up the paddlers/boats.

Alcohol

This year we have the Black Harp Traveling Irish Pub and Beer Garden! We will have a selection of beer and n/a beer available for sale. Thank you to our sponsor Maine Beer! Venmo and cash are preferred (apple pay and credit cards should work but depends on Wi-Fi signal). Alcohol is not permitted outside of the Beer Garden per DCR rules.

Food and Entertainment

There are reserved picnic spots and vendor spots available. The forms are located on our website. The Black Harp Traveling Irish Pub will be serving coffee and tea from 8:00am-11:00am in the Beer Garden. Mi Corazon Taqueria Food Truck will have traditional tacos, burritos and more available throughout the day. See attached menu. They will be on site from 10:00am-3:00pm. Cash and credit card are accepted on-site. MWRA will have their portable water fountain available for paddlers and spectators to hydrate during the day! Bring your reusable water bottles and fill them up! We will have LIVE MUSIC from Lunatic Neighbor from 10:30-1:00pm and we have DJ Kid Spin from 1:00-3:00pm. Plan to join us in the big tent to celebrate CRWA’s 60^th anniversary!

Transportation

As competitors, you are responsible for your own transportation. We recommend carpooling as parking is tight at all sites, especially DCR’s Artesani Park. Please try to have team members park off site wherever possible. Additional parking is available at the Newton Marriott for the 9- and 14-mile race starts. For the 3- and 6-mile starts and for the finish line, there is no parking on Soldiers Field Road. Parking is available in the two DCR lots east of the finish line. Parking is also available on Telford Street, a two-way public street. There is a footbridge over to the park. WE STRESS THAT CARPOOLING IS ESSENTIAL.

Boats

Be sure to call ahead and reserve your boat! We suggest contacting Paddle Boston for boat rentals. They are at (617) 965-5110 or www.paddleboston.com.

9- and 14-mile racers - the boat pickup is at the Newton Boathouse dock (across from registration)

3- and 6-mile racers - the boat pickup is at their Boston dock, you will park at 1255 Soldier’s Field Road, register by the big white tent, then walk over to grab your boat, then paddle over to the start at Artesani/Herter Park.

Registration Check In Times/Locations

RACE COURSE INFORMATION AND COURSE MAPS

We look forward to seeing you on April 27^th “down by the river.”

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https://www.facebook.com/PaddleBoston

https://www.instagram.com/PaddleBoston

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076011620679

https://www.instagram.com/the_blackharp

https://www.facebook.com/LunaticNeighbor

https://www.instagram.com/lunatic_neighbor

Meg Rivett, Race Director

Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

508-498-8020

rotc@crwa.org

www.charlesriver.org