The pandemic has shown that high quality parks and paths and a healthy local environment are needed now more than ever. Last week, nearly 100 Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) supporters joined the Virtual Herring Run and Paddle (#VirtualHRP)—a week-long, physically distant version of the organization’s annual Herring Run and Paddle—to show their support for continued environmental improvements in the watershed.
Departing from the traditional 1-route race, MyRWA offered four 5K route options highlighting Somerville/Medford, Everett/Malden, Charlestown, and Horn Pond (Woburn). The virtual race also included a 9-mile paddle race course along the Mystic River from the Mystic Lakes to Blessing of the Bay in Somerville. Participants who completed all 4 running routes were eligible for the Olympic Herring Award, while those who also added the paddle route were eligible for the Iron Herring Award. Check out the results and photos here.
In total, participants and sponsors raised $28,000 for the Mystic. Fifteen participants completed all 4 5K courses (Olympic Herring) and 9 people completed each 5K course plus the paddle race (Iron Herring).
"I set out to complete all of the Virtual Herring Run & Paddle races as a test of my speed and fitness to see if I could race my hardest five times over the course of a week. My favorite course was Horn Pond because of the combination of trail and road running. Also, that's a location I had not previously visited, so the race took me someplace new,” said Benai Kornell, MyRWA’s Iron Herring champion.
“We are blessed to have such resources at our doorstep; to walk, run, or bike with water views; to be on the water; to fish, or swim the Upper Lake. I liked the Horn Pond loop the best, especially the NW corner. I'm a trail runner, so happy to meander through woodlands, with something like bare ground underfoot,” said David Barlow, Iron Herring champion. I can't honestly say that every minute of the 9-mile race was a pleasure. And I hate running fast. But I love MyRWA! My wife, Ying, went with me to each of the 5k race courses and had a pleasant walk while I sweated and swore. That's four dates in one week!”
Scenes from the race:
Though the first virtual race, this event marked the 24th consecutive year of running and paddling for a better Mystic. This corresponds with 24 years of improvements in the watershed. Since the first race held in 1997 the Mystic has seen:
Drastic reduction in the volume of invasive water chestnut—which impedes recreation and wildlife habitat—on the river.
Two fish ladders installed in dams to provide river herring with more than 100 acres of critical spawning habitat.
Significant improvement to water quality, earning an A grade from the US EPA.
Crucial investments in contiguous parks and paths and waterfront access, supporting alternative transportation and improved physical and mental health.
Two Paddle Boston kayak, canoe, stand-up-paddleboard rental locations opened in Medford (Condon Shell) and Somerville (Blessing of the Bay).
The formation of the Resilient Mystic Collaborative, a voluntary partnership between municipalities in Greater Boston to protect people and places from climate change related risks.
To learn more about these improvements and current MyRWA initiatives visit MysticRiver.org or follow MyRWA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Want to try the race courses? See the maps found on the VirtualHRP website. Get a feel for the courses by watching time lapses of each loop on MyRWA’s YouTube account.
About the Mystic River Watershed Association: The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) works to improve the lives of the more than half million residents of Mystic River communities through its efforts to protect and restore water quality, natural habitat and open space throughout the 76 square mile watershed. For more information see MysticRiver.org.
About the Herring Run: The Herring Run and Paddle is traditionally an opportunity to gather in community and celebrate the hidden—yet impressive—river herring migration that occurs each spring on the Mystic River. To learn more about this migration visit MysticHerring.org.
Mystic River Watershed at a Glance: The 76-square-mile Mystic River Watershed stretches from Reading through the northern shoreline of Boston Harbor to Revere. An Anglicized version of the Pequot word missi-tuk (“large river with wind- and tide-driven waves”), the river is now one of New England’s most densely populated, urbanized watersheds.
The Mystic is facing growing climate-related challenges: coastal and stormwater flooding, extreme storms, heat, drought and unpredictable seasonal weather. Its 21 municipalities are home to a half-million residents, including many who are disproportionately vulnerable to extreme weather: environmental justice communities, elders, low-income residents and workers, people living with disabilities, and English-language learners.
