Athol’s Annual River Rat Race is back on April 8

The River Rat Race is back. It’s been a year since racers have put their canoes in the Millers River for the area’s signature annual event.

The Athol-Orange River Rat Race is produced by the Athol Lions Club in conjunction with the Orange Lions Club. It is an annual party that draws large crowds of spectators to watch 200+ canoes race in a no-holds-barred 5.2-mile sprint on the Millers River from the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park in Athol, MA to Riverfront Park in Orange, MA.

River Rat Race follows the Big Cheese 5K on April 8.

Registrations Instructions: 

– Registration is open until April 6 and $42 per boat

-“paddler 1” on this form will be the designated team captain

-your spot in the race will not be held unless payment is received. if the payment page doesn’t load at the end of the form, check your pop-up settings.

-If you would like to register in person, you can download the registration form here and bring it to else where UPS store (directions)

​Follow the event link to find more information and to register on-line in the 2023 Athol-Orange River Rat Race

Don’t forget the Big Cheese 5k happening in the morning! We encourage you to enter in both races, and if you do we will recognize you with special “double duty” status on race day.

See a video of the River Rat Race here!

Run for Food and Fun in the Big Cheese 5K in Athol