ATHOL — One of the victims of the current COVID-19 pandemic is the 57th running of the annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on April 11. Also put on hold will be the parade preceding the race and the Big Cheese 5K road race.
Selectboard Chair Rebecca Bialecki read a statement at Tuesday’s meeting declaring the town will “abide by the governor’s recommendation of canceling all events that may bring people together.”
“I strongly recommend,” she continued, “postponement or cancellation of all events or programs scheduled to be held in our public buildings, including previously approved permitted events.”
The Athol-Orange River Rat Race is produced by the Athol Lions Club in conjunction with the Orange Lions Club. The annual race draws large crowds to watch 200-plus canoes race in a 5.2-mile sprint along the Millers River from the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park in Athol to Riverfront Park in Orange.
David Flint, event organizer and an Athol Lions Club representative, attended the meeting to discuss the development.
“A lot has happened in the few weeks since I have been here last,” Flint said. “I heard through the grapevine that the selectmen were going to vote to revoke the permit for the River Rat Race tonight, and I couldn’t agree more. But I’m here to tell you that isn’t necessary. The Lions Club has already voted to postpone the race indefinitely.”
Flint said organizers can easily renew the necessary permits, should the event be rescheduled.
“The problem that we have is that we have to have enough water for the safety boats,” he explained. “Once you get into May, June and July, that’s just not possible. If, by chance, we get an awful long rainy spell, maybe we can do it in May. Who knows? But maybe this thing won’t blow over by then.”
“The word ‘Lions,’” he continued, “stands for liberty, intelligence, and our nation’s safety. And right now, our nation’s safety is in jeopardy.”
Flint said he had spoken to all race sponsors and all had told him the club should keep their donations. He said they had instructed him to apply them to the next running of the event, “whether it’s this year or it’s 2021.”
“The biggest non-refundable expense that we have shelled out,” said Flint, “has been for the T-shirts and sweatshirts. We spend thousands of dollars on these, and that we cannot get back. So, I would ask the public, if they would help us recover these expenses by considering buying a T-shirt or sweatshirt.”
The items are available at Trail Head Outfitters, Kimball Cooke Insurance, Uptown Package Store, Herrick’s Tavern, White Cloud Restaurant, Else Wear and Déjà Vu Women’s Consignments. T-shirts are $25 and sweatshirts are $35.
“I think you should absolutely advertise those shirts as a collector’s item,” Bialecki said. “The year that wasn’t.”