ATHOL — Things are shaping up pretty well in preparation for the return of North Quabbin’s signature event, the annual Athol to Orange River Rat Race. On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Athol Savings Bank presented members of the Athol Lions Club a donation of $1,000.
The race, which is returning after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. But there will be plenty going on before paddles hit the water.
As has become a tradition, the Big Cheese 5K will take place prior to the canoe race. Check-in for the 5K, sponsored by the Athol Area YMCA, will take place from 8 to 9:15 a.m. The starting pistol goes off at 9:30 a.m., with runners following a course from School Street/Prospect Street to Town Hall. To sign up, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Athol/BigCheese5K. Registration is $20 and entries will be taken no later than 6:59 p.m. on April 8.
Jennifer Gordon, Executive Director/CEO of the Athol Y, said proceeds from the race will go to the COVID Relief Fund. Gordon told the Athol Daily News that — with assistance from the United Way and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts — the fund has distributed some $225,000 to help those impacted by the pandemic.
Other events that have become part of the day-long race festivities include the Rat Race Pancake Breakfast at the Congregational Church at 1225 Chestnut St. Time for the breakfast has not yet been established. Immediately following the Big Cheese 5K will come the River Rat Promenade, sponsored by the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce.
Deadline for registration for the River Rat Race is April 6. Cost is $42. Forms will be available at Else Where, 1485 Main St., Athol or online at www.riverratrace.com. Position drawings take place at 7 p.m., April 8, at the Silver Lake Pavilion.
Sponsors for this year’s River Rat Race include Athol Savings Bank, Burner Guys, Athol Hospital, Bales Crafters Gallery & Country Store, New Age Landscaping, Boiler Bar & Grille, Liberty Tax, Orange Saws, Noel’s Nursery, Billy Goat Boats, Else Where, Knapp Home & Heating Maintenance, Higgins Energy Alternative Inc., Higgins Powersport, White Cloud Restaurant, Athol Credit Union, Kellie’s: Fill Your Belly at Kellie’s, Mike’s Place, Bear Country 95.3 & The Outlaw 92.3, Bardsley Renovations, Original Tire, Whipps Inc., Piragis Boats & Motors, VCA Adams Animal Hospital, AOTV, Pete Lyman Excavating, Salvador Auto Group, Lyman Signs, Flint’s Garage, Mount Tully Kennels, Clean Out Kings, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, Mallet Roll Off Dumpster Service, Sonias Auto Group, Lafford Photography, Herrick’s Tavern, 110 Grill, Girardi Distributors LLC, Jumptown, Northfield Dive/Rescue Team.
Money raised from the event goes to Lions Clubs International Foundation, Mass. Lions Eye Research Fund, Sight & Hearing Fund, Sightmobile Inc., Youth Speech Program, All State Band Scholarship, All State Band Student, Environmental Photo Program, Peace Poster Program, ROAR Program, Young Ambassador Program, Youth Camp Exchange, Eyeglass Recycling, Disaster Relief Fund, Leo Program, Mass. Lions Low Vision Network, and District 33-A Club Community Aid.
Other donations are made by the Athol Lions Club to the Barton Center, Audio Journal, Fidelco, Perkins School for the Blind, the Carroll Center for the Blind, Project New Hope, VOSH Volunteer Optometric Services, Worcester Free Medical Clinic, Descriptive Video Service, and Worcester Alliance for Refugee Ministry.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com