Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Paddlers from across the U.S. gathered at the Run of the Charles to celebrate what has been called "60 years of progress for a clean, resilient Charles River."
Sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association, the annual race highlights the clean-up efforts and water quality improvements that have occurred over the last few decades. The area that once suffered from industrial contamination and pollution has been transformed into a lively recreation area.
"The Charles River is not the dirty water of the past. It is clean. It is often times safe to recreate on and it's a treasure that we have in our backyard. And everyone should take advantage of it and want to protect it and improve it," says Emily Reiling, development manager with the Charles River Watershed Association.
Hundreds of spectators, stand-up paddlers, kayaks, and canoes converged in Boston for the special event, which has been one of the driving forces behind the river's transformation.
The Run of the Charles features paddlers competing in 3-, 6-, and 9-mile courses, plus a 14-mile relay race. Races began in Brighton and Newton and finished at Herter Park in Brighton.
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.