ATHOL — Recent entries for the April 14 River Rat Race bring the total to 50 canoes.
Jeff Mangum of the Army Corps of Engineers reports that while there isn’t much natural flow from seasonal melt, the engineers at Tully Dam and Birch Hill Dam are holding back water to be released just prior to race day. This will ensure safe paddling for the mass of paddlers expected to converge on Millers River on race day.
River Rats signing up include a few favorites. More often the bridesmaid, once the bride, Nick Lyesiuk, who took first place in 1973 with Gene Lyesiuk, has provided some exciting competition over the years, frequently giving the final five a run for their money.
Peter Heed won the title in 1986 with partner Paul Olney and in 1998 with Joe Shaw. He paired up with Paul Facteau for the crowns in 1996 and 2000.
Paul Facteau captured another first place win with a different Lyesiuk in 1991 to earn bragging rights — Brent Lyesiuk. All these names are familiar to those old enough to have memories of the many battles these paddlers fought on the water — together and with other partners.
Newest entries include — Patrick Madden of Scotia, N.Y. and Jimmy Pellerin of Saint Etienne, Quebec; Nick Lyesiuk of Grafton, Vt. and Doug Howard of Orange; Jamie Woods of Athol and Ruben Mercado Lugo of Greenfield; Mark Brower of Athol and Brian Prosser of Worcester; Jeromey Taylor of Athol and Zachary Robideau of Orange; Paul Riordan of Shrewsbury and Eric Robert of Worcester; David Lamoureux of Newburyport and Kevin Lamoureux of Natick; Peter Heed of Keene, N.H. and Paul Facteau of Westhampton; Jeff Donnelly of Westminster and James James of Fitchburg.
For more information or to download an entry form, log on to: riverratrace.com, or visit the Athol Daily News, 225 Exchange St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and during extended hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.
The post position drawing takes place Friday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Athol Town Hall.