MYSTIC RIVER HERRING RUN & PADDLE
May 16, 2010
Join us on Sunday May 16, 2010 for the
14th Annual Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle
Run, Walk, or Paddle for the Fish!
Location: 32 Shore Drive, DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, Somerville, MA [MAP]
Time: Register online or starting at 8 a.m., 5K run/walk begins at 9 a.m., all paddle races begin at 10:30 a.m.
Register online or download the registration form and mail to MyRWA.
RUN or WALK along a flat and fast 5K course on the Mystic River bike path, dashing past thousands of herring returning from the ocean back to the Mystic river. Or hop in your canoe or kayak and PADDLE up the river following the herring up towards the Mystic Lakes following a 3, 9 or 12 mile course. Compete in both races and be eligible for the Iron Herring Award for the male and female with the fastest overall time in the 5K road race and the 12 mile paddle. View the 5K course here.
Join us one and all! There’s fun for all ages:
- Age Groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
- Run as a team: Form a team of 3 or more co-workers, family, or friends. Team members should submit individual forms.
- Team Divisions (3+ persons): Male, Female, Mixed, Corporate (New!)
- Corporate Teams: Put together a group from work to compete as a team in the road race, paddling race, or go for the Corporate Iron Herring award.
- New This Year! Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) category. SUP is the fastest growing watersport in the country and has been added as a category in the 3 mile, 9 mile, and 12 mile races.
- The Corporate Iron Herring Award is NEW this year! You'll need a team for the 5K and a paddler for the 12-mile paddle race. The fastest overall corporate team wins the Corporate Iron Herring Award.
- Fabulous prizes donated by local businesses for top three overall male and female athletes, first place age groups and team finishes.
- Download the Herring Run Flyer to help spread the word.
Boat Classes: Single Kayak, Single Racing Kayak, Double Kayak, Tandem Canoe (must meet 16% rule), Tandem Racing Canoe, Solo Canoe, and Stand-Up Paddleboard. Additional classes may be created based on registrations.
Do you want to paddle but don't have a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard? Charles River Canoe & Kayak will deliver the boat or board to the race for you. Call Mark at 617-965-5110 or click here for details and to reserve a boat.
Registration: 5k Run/Walk Race & 3, 9 or 12 mile Paddle registration here.
All race proceeds benefit the Mystic River Watershed Association.
For more information call Mark at 617-893-0209 or send e-mail to HerringRun@gmail.com
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
VOLUNTEER to help plan this fun event or help the day of the race! YOU can help by collecting prizes, designing the T-shirt, secure food donations, help to get the word out...and much more. Contact beth@mysticriver.org to get involved.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Support the Herring Run and Paddle by becoming a sponsor. For 2010 Sponsorship information click here. 
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CELEBRATE THE HERRING
The Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle celebrates the return of the blueback herring and alewives that make their way up the Mystic River in order to reach their native spawning grounds. In the past, millions of herring swam through the Mystic, but their numbers have dropped considerably due to offshore fishing, pollution and the building of dams on the river. But no matter what hurdles they face, the fish keep returning year after year. For the past 14 years, local residents have been running along the banks and paddling up the river to show their support of the river and the tenacious herring and alewives that call it home. In addition to running, paddling, volunteering or sponsoring the event, we also invite you to become a MyRWA member as a way to advocate for clean water for herring and recreation alike. Join by clicking on Network for Good!
Learn more about the Mystic River by watching the video "Meet The Mystic".
Did you know that a herring is a type of fish?
There are two types of herring in the Mystic River Watershed: Alewife Herring (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis). Herring spend their lives in the ocean except when they swim upstream to lay their eggs, or spawn, in rivers such as the Mystic River. The Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle Festival celebrates the return of this anadromous species to the Mystic River each spring.
· Fabulous prizes donated by local businesses for top three overall female and male athletes; first place age groups and team finishes.