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RUN OF THE CHARLES

  • Herter Park Boston, MA, 02134 United States (map)

Run of the Charles is Boston’s Premier Paddle Race. Grab your kayak, canoe, or paddle board and choose from four exciting courses as we celebrate 60 years of progress for a clean, resilient Charles River.


Online registration opens on Saturday, February 1st.

Join CRWA on April 27th for the 41st Run of the Charles paddling race at Herter Park, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more!


Races begin in Brighton and Newton, running through towns including Watertown, Waltham, and Cambridge. All races will finish at Herter Park in Brighton. Hundreds of spectators line the riverbanks to watch the Run of the Charles and enjoy finish line festivities!

All skill levels, from beginner to expert, are welcome.

Head to the Finish Line RiverFest at Herter Park to cheer on the paddlers starting and finishing their races between 10AM-4PM. Enjoy live music from Mid Life Crisis, coffee and beverages from The Black Harp mobile Irish Pub in the RiverFest Beer Garden, and more!

Questions about Run of the Charles? Email Meg Farrer, Race Director at mfarrer@crwa.org

Interesting in sponsoring Run of the Charles? Contact Emily Reiling, CRWA Development Manager at ereiling@crwa.org

Volunteer at Run of the Charles!

Nearly 75 volunteers are needed to help set up the race, check in paddlers, direct boat traffic through portages, check boat numbers, post results and take care of all the other details that make the Run of the Charles such a success each year. Join us as a volunteer!


Paddle Boston provides rental kayaks, canoes, and SUPs for Run of the Charles. Reserve your rental now for easy coordination during the race!


Race and Registration Information

  • Herter Park

    1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA

    Check-In Starts 8:30 AM

    Pre-Race Meeting 9:30 AM

    Race Starts 10:10 AM

    3-Mile Race Course Map

  • Herter Park

    1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA

    Check-In Starts 8:30 AM

    Pre-Race Meeting 9:30 AM

    Race Starts 10:00 AM

    6-Mile Race Course Map

  • Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston

    Check-In Starts 8:00 AM

    Pre-Race Meeting 9:00 AM

    Race Starts 9:40 AM

    9-Mile Race Course Map

  • Team Relay and Individual Entries

    Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston

    Pre-Race Meeting 9:00 AM (leg one only)

    Race Starts 9:30 AM (leg one only)

    All Location Check-In Starts:

    Leg 1 - Newton Boathouse Public Parking, Weston 8:00am

    Leg 2 – Moody Street Dam, Waltham 9:00am

    Leg 3 – Watertown Dam, Watertown 10:00am

    Leg 4 – Herter Park, Brighton 10:30am

    Leg 5 – Watertown Bridge/Dock, Watertown 11:30am

    14-Mile Race Course Map (Relay and Non-Relay)

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