Annual Run of the Charles to Bring Thousands to the River

You’ve heard of the Head of the Charles Regatta, held every fall. But have you heard of the Run of the Charles?

Held annually since 1982, the canoe and kayak race offers 6-mile, 9-mile, 19-mile, 24-mile and 26-mile runs for participants of all ages and levels and benefits the Charles River Watershed Association (CWRA).

This year’s Run of the Charles will be held Sunday, April 27.

The CWRA encourages businesses and corporations to sign up for the event as a team-building activity.

"The Run of the Charles is an extraordinary bonding experience for corporations and organizations, and it's also a day filled with learning and fun," said CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. "The Finish Line Festival gives all participants and volunteers a chance to enjoy themselves and the beauty of our Charles River after a long day."

According to CWRA spokeswoman Meg Schermerhorn, many engineering, law, and consulting firms are represented every year in the corporate relay race at the Run of the Charles, as well as local colleges, government agencies and neighborhood groups.

"CDM Smith has been participating in the Run of the Charles since its inaugural years in the 1980s.  We've always felt that it is a great opportunity to bring employees together and embrace the company's core values of excellence, initiative, teamwork, shared commitment, and integrity," said Eric Spargimino, a CDM Smith environmental engineer and former event champion.  "It is also a great opportunity for us to enjoy the local resources like the Charles River that we work hard to protect and improve.  Each year we bring between 60 and 100 employees to participate in the race and enjoy the festivities at the finish line."

A Finish Line Festival will be held at Artesani Park in Brighton with day-long entertainment from Wayland band Mid Life Crisis, as well as vendors and food from Big Al’s Premium Fun Foods and Extreme Concessions. There is also a playground at the park for the kids.

The CRWA is a non-profit organization that works toward protecting and enhancing “the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River and its tributaries and watersheds.”

For more information on the Run of the Charles or to register, click here.