On Saturday, May 18th more than 350 people celebrated the annual return of the herring at the 23rd annual Mystic Herring Run and Paddle—our 5k and paddle race. Each spring more than 600,000 herring swim from Boston Harbor to the Mystic Lakes and Horn Pond. The Herring Run and Paddle is the only local event raising awareness for this spectacular wildlife migration. This year’s event raised an all-time high of $41,000 to support the further protection and restoration of the Mystic River. Thank you to all our runners, paddlers and sponsors.
The Herring Run and Paddle took place at the Blessings of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville with the 5k route passing through Medford’s scenic Macdonald Park. Paddlers chose between the 3, 9, or 12-mile that all go up the Mystic River. Bike to the Sea led their annual bike ride.
All race results and pictures can be seen here; while pictures highlighting the bike tour can be found here.
“I think the Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle really brings together some of the best and most unique parts of Boston: the waterways and the tight-knit running community. Some of the biggest events here are the Head of the Charles and the Boston Marathon, but not many races can claim to combine the two... I could tell this race was really a grass-roots event--sponsored by local companies (with great prizes!)--and dedicated to protecting the natural resources (like the Mystic River) that make exercising outside in Boston so great,” said Scanner Cheung, winner of the 2018 Herring Run and Paddle’s Iron Herring Award.
The best athletes finished the 12-mile race in just under two hours and 30 minutes, such as Medford resident Andrew Milne, who was the Iron Herring, which is the fastest combined 5k and 12-mile race time.
“The improvements to MacDonald Park made the run quite enjoyable and Mystic River and Mystic Lakes are very scenic,” Milne said. “This is one of the best organized races of the year that I greatly look forward to.”
