Run of the Charles

Today is the Run of the Charles canoe race. Our company sponsors the organizer Charles River Watershed Reservation, and we do the 24 miles 5-leg relay down Charles River every year. This year we have 2 men's teams and one womens.

We met up at 7 am in Beverly and headed to the start point at Needham. After the first legs had begun, we stopped at the start of every legs to cheer for the teams. We paddled in double boat. I was on the third leg with Brett. We needed to carry the boat and run for 3 portages: a short one in the woods after taking the boat from the second leg, another short one on the street and the third half mile run on the street. Luckily, the teammates taking the 4th leg could carry the boat with us. I just couldn't carry it any longer half-way off that half mile run.

But we surely kicked some asses. Brett and I passed 2 boats in the woods, 3 more on the river and 3 or 4 more on the half-mile run. It felt so good.

Other teammates did very good too. We finally finished the 7th of the corporate division in 4 hours 40 minutes, with the other men's team finished the 2nd in 4 hours 15 minutes. The women's team finished the first in the women's division, as always.

At the finish we set up grills for hot dogs and pork chops. Snacks and beer, and champaign. That was a lot of fun.

Run! Forrest Run!