AUBURN — The Androscoggin Land Trust will hold its third annual Canoe & Kayak River Race on Saturday, June 23, before the kickoff of the annual Great Falls Brewfest that afternoon.
The race will take off at 9 a.m. from Festival Plaza boat launch on Main Street in Auburn. Participants have three course options to choose from this year:
• Long Distance Paddle — Mostly slow-moving water with a section of class I-III rapids; distance: 7 miles; average time: 1.5 hours; finish: Durham boat launch.
• Twin City Boomerang Paddle — Auburn to Lewiston and back upriver to Auburn (no rapids); distance: 3 miles; average time: 45 minutes; finish: Festival Plaza boat launch.
• Twin City Paddle — Short paddle (no rapids) from Auburn to Lewiston; distance: 1.5 miles; average time: 20 minutes; finish: Lincoln Street boat launch, Lewiston.
Registration and check-in is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive in time to check in and unload boats in advance of the 9 a.m. mass start time.
The cost is $30 for a single canoe or kayak and $40 for a double canoe or kayak. All proceeds support the conservation, stewardship, outdoor education and events of Androscoggin Land Trust.
New this year, there will be an option to rent a canoe or kayak from Shaker Hill Outdoors which will be delivered to/from the race location on race day. Those interested should call Shaker Hill at 207-998-5390 to reserve a boat as far in advance of the race as possible.
Also new this year, preceding the awards ceremony in Festival Plaza there will be live music by Chris Robley and food for purchase by Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe. As in past years, registrants for the race who are 21 and older will receive a code for a 15 percent discount to the Brewfest while tickets are still available.
A free shuttle service provided by Northeast Charter will be available for transport from finish locations back to Festival Plaza or boaters can arrange for pickups.
Prizes will be awarded at Festival Plaza to the top finishers in each category and an additional prize will be awarded to the boat or paddler with the best costume.
The race will go rain or shine.
To register, and for race rules, safety tips and more information, go to androscogginlandtrust.org, call 207-782-2302 or email at info@androscogginlandtrust.org.
The third annual Androscoggin River Race will launch from Festival Plaza in Auburn at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 23. Seen here are paddlers heading toward toward the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge that connects Lewiston and Auburn during last year’s race.
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