Athol-0range River Rat Race
Pre-race dates for paddlers
April 07,2025 - ON-LINE registration deadline
Good Luck Paddlers!
April 11, 2025- 7:00 PM - position drawing
Drawing will be held at Athol Town Hall (Directions Here)
Please arrive early. The drawing will begin promptly at 7:00 PM
If you are unable to attend, you must pick up your race number 8:00 - 11:00 AM on race day at
Else Where UPS Store (Directions)
race day
April 12, 2025
In Peerson Registration Only at Athol Lions food booth UNTIL 10 AM
7:00 - 11:00 AM - rat race pancake breakfast
North Quabbin Lodge of Masons
336 Main Street, Athol, MA
8:00 - 9:15 AM - big cheese 5k check-in
Athol memorial Building - Pre-Register HERE
9:30 AM - big cheese 5K
School Street/Prospect Street to Town Hall - Course Description HERE
9:35 AM - River rat promenade
Main Street, Athol - Immediately following the Big Cheese 5K start
11:00 AM - number pickup deadline
If absent from Position Draw on 4/11 Numbers can be picked up at the Lion's Club yellow Food Wagon near the South Main Street Bridge.
12:30 PM - 2025 River rat race pre-race
SPECTATORS may line up on the banks of both sides of the Miller's River South of the Main Street Bridge, On the Main Street Bridge (Follow PD instructions on the bridge), and on the Western Bank North of the Main Street Bridge.
Canoes will be put in and lined up on the East bank according to post numbers
Paddlers re strongly advised to have boats in the water by 12:30 PM and at their post by 12:45 PM to await the cannon.
1:00 pm - 2025 river rat race
Paddlers must hold their post until the sound of the cannon. False starts will result in Disqualification
5:00 pm - 2024 river rat race awards
RIVERFRONT PARK, Next to Billy Goat Boats/Finish Line ORANGE, MA
PADDLERS must pass post-race inspection to be eligible for prize money.
©2025 by Athol/Orange River Rat Race
an Athol Lion's Club Production