ATHOL — The River Rat Race canoe count is inching upward, despite the weekly hammering of the North Quabbin area with nor’easters. River Rat Race Director David Flint is maintaining an optimistic outlook for the April 14 Athol to Orange race and is predicting a good showing.
In sync with daylight saving ime, the Athol Savings Bank has once again donated $1,000 to the River Rat Race Committee. Tabitha Fournier, Community Banking Officer for Athol Savings Bank, presented the oversized check to Lions Club members Thursday morning. After accepting the check in the ASB Convenience Center lobby, Athol Lions Club President Charlie Pierson Jr., said, “Their sponsorship kickstarts the whole event.”
Flint agreed, saying, “They’ve been fantastic. They’re the most community-oriented bank around. Last year, we even borrowed a couple of canoes for Athol Savings Bank to enter the race.” He noted Athol Savings Bank “donated a big chunk of money for the Richard E. Phillips Pavilion at Silver Lake” which is maintained by the Athol Lions Club.
Asked whether she would be entering the race, Ms. Fournier smiled and shook her head “no.”
Dan Zona, president and CEO, offered the following, “Athol Savings Bank is pleased to sponsor the 55th Annual River Rat Race. We wish all the paddlers the best of luck in this year’s race!”
Official River Rat Race 2018 edition T-shirts, designed crews and hoodies have been printed and will be distributed first to race sponsors, and then distributed in stores and businesses throughout the North Quabbin area.
Shirts for the racers are donated annually to the club by Girardi Distributors of Athol, prime sponsor of the race for 55 years.
Paddling pairs are up to 18, and include Steve Gage of South New Berlin, N.Y., and Scott Jordon of Otego, N.Y.; Amy Thornton of Florence and Eric Jones of Granby, Conn.; Vicki Cummings of Meriden, Conn., and Pam Fitzgerald of Scotia, N.Y.; Craig Twohey of Phillipston and Bill Marshall of Athol; Ed Halpin Jr. of Seekonk and Ed Halpin III of Westwood; Gary Ring of Leicester and David Smith of Millbury.
Canoes over 18 feet are not allowed in the race, and life jackets must be worn by all paddlers. The first 45 canoes out of the water at the finish will be weighed and measured to determine if it is eligible for a cash prize. Types of canoes permitted include aluminum, canvas and recreational. Trophies are awarded in the men’s, women’s, and mixed team divisions.
Applications are available at the Athol Daily News between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. They may be downloaded from www.riverratrace.com and mailed or dropped off with the $42 (per canoe) entry fee. The official list of rules are printed on the applications.
The post positions drawing is at 7:30 p.m. in the Athol Town Hall on April 13.