Run of the Charles is the signature event of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the leading science and advocacy organization for the Charles River and its watershed.
Pricing is per paddler. Each paddler pays fee shown ($75 per paddler for early registration through 4/22). AFTER 4/22 ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AND REGISTRATION CAN BE DONE ON-SITE AT THE EVENTFOR $90 PER PADDLER. PLEASE SHOW UP TO YOUR RACE START LOCATION AND REGISTER WITH VOLUNTEERS.
RACE COURSE INFORMATION AND COURSE MAPS
3-Mile Races DCR’s Artesani Park 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA Check-In Starts 8:30 AM Pre-Race Meeting 9:30 AM Race Starts 10:10 AM
6-Mile Races DCR’s Artesani Park 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA Check-In Starts 8:30 AM Pre-Race Meeting 9:30 AM Race Starts 10:00 AM
9-Mile Races Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston Check-In Starts 8:00 AM Pre-Race Meeting 9:00 AM Race Starts 9:40 AM
14-Mile Races Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston Pre-Race Meeting 9:00 AM (leg one only) Race Starts 9:30 AM (leg one only) All Location Check-In Starts: · Leg 1 - Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston 8:00am · Leg 2 – Moody Street Dam, Waltham 9:00am · Leg 3 – Watertown Dam, Watertown 10:00am · Leg 4 – Artesani Park, Brighton 10:30am · Leg 5 – Watertown Bridge/Dock, Watertown 11:30am |
ALL PRICING IS PER PADDLER. Please visit here for boat class information.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
3 Miles – Individual
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
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Register for 3 Miles – Individual$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
6 Miles – Individual
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
-
Register for 6 Miles – Individual$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
9 Miles – Individual
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
-
Register for 9 Miles – Individual$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
14 Mile Race - NON RELAY
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
14 Mile Race for one paddler or two. Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
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Register for 14 Mile Race - NON RELAY$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
14 Mile Relay
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Relay Race - Team of 10 people (most are 10 paddlers/two per each of five legs). Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
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Register for 14 Mile Relay$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
3 Miles – multi person boat
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Race for two paddlers per boat. Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
-
Register for 3 Miles – multi person boat$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
6 Miles – multi person boat
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Race for two paddlers per boat. Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
-
Register for 6 Miles – multi person boat$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
9 Miles – multi person boat
Registration closes in 16 days 21 hours-
Race for two paddlers per boat. Pricing is per paddler ($75 per paddler through 4/22). After 4/22, please register on-site on race day at $90 per paddler)
-
Register for 9 Miles – multi person boat$82.23
Regular Pricing
Now registering Jan 5 – Apr 21 -
ClosedApr 21 – Apr 21
-
$98.28
Late Registration - Register On Site at Event
Apr 21 – Apr 23 -
ClosedApr 24 – Apr 21
-
Rules
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.
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.
2026 Race Book
Click here for Race Book.
Contact information
- Event contact
- Meg Farrer
- Phone
- 508-498-8020
