April 13, 2024
ATHOL, MA
athol-orange river rat race official rules
1. Canoes must be of conventional type open construction design with no coverings from front to rear and in good condition. No sculls, kayaks, or Olympic racing canoes are allowed. Canoes cannot be over 18 feeT
2. Front and back of canoe must be higher than the middle. Canoes must be .14375X length, which shall equal the minimum width 4" above the keel at the canoe's maximum width. Center depth shall not be less than I I ½ inches.
3. life jackets must be worn (as designed) during actual race & practice runs. no co2 vests or belts are allowed.
4. canoes must have sufficient flotation and safety lines (6-8ft. long). must be attached to and stored in both bow and stern to aid in recovery.
5. canoes must be propelled by single blade paddles only. no motorized or battery-operated devices allowed.
6. no portages allowed. contestants must follow the natural flow of the river.
7. old numbers from previous river rat races must be removed. failure to remove past numbers will result in disqualification.
8. the official judges reserve the right to make all final decisions in regard to any part of the race.
9. FOR ALL YOUTH PARTICIPATING, youth must be between the ages of 12-17. a parent or guardian who signs the required waiver is the preferred adult in the canoe with any minor under the age of 16. youth ages 16 and 17 may paddle together without an adult. a waiver must must be signed by the parent or guardian for any minor under the age of 18. a youth waiver is downloadable by clicking on "FORM" on the registration page. the waiver should be signed in person at else where in athol. ID may be required.
10. post positions will be drawn at The Athol Town Hall, Main Street, on friday april 12, 2024 at 7:00pm. all contestants should be present to receive their starting number and final instructions. if you cannot attend, you may pick up your number at ELSE WHERE UPS STORE at 1485 MAIN STREET FROM 8:00AM to 11:00am on race day, saturday, april 13, 2024. a signed note is required if you authorize someone to pick up your number for you.
11. the race starts at 1:00pm on Saturday, april 13, 2024 on the east bank of the miller's river, upstream of the south main street bridge in athol, and finishes 100 yards before the south main street bridge in orange. the race has a "le mans" style start, which has all canoes starting at the same time. contestants in their canoes line up at the river's edge according to post position number. the start is signaled by a single shot fired from a cannon. assembly time starts at 11:30am. the first 40 canoes out of the river will be jigged and measured. you must have a receipt of inspection in order to claim any awards.
12. plaques and cash awards will be presented at the orange riverfront park at approximately 5:00pm following the race. dual plaques will be awarded to the first 30 canoes. pro awards for women and mixed. recreational awards for men,women,mixed, youth/adult,aluminum, and north quabbin. additional cash prizes for north quabbin teams may be awarded depending on number of entries northquabbin towns include: orange, athol, wendell, warwick,petersham, new salem, royalston, phillipston and erving.
13. the number of entries determines cash awards. please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want confirmation that you've signed up. if you sign up on the website, you'll receive confirmation by email.
14. refunds will not be issued once a team signs up.
15. switching partners is not allowed once positions are drawn. a change in partner between the post position draw and race start will relegate your boat to the last post position at the start.
16. recreation division canoes must be manufactured (no custom canoes in class) fiberglass canoes that weigh at least 50-pounds with no added weight. they must not exceed 18-feet in length.