ATHOL — When the annual River Rat Race returns on April 12, it will mark six decades of canoe racing, community spirit and unforgettable moments on the water.

Hosted by the Athol Lions Club, the popular event will feature additional prizes and fun activities to commemorate its 60th anniversary.

The River Rat Race first began in the early 1960s when a group of friends made a bet on who could paddle down the Millers River to Orange the fastest. Little did they know, they were starting a tradition that now attracts hundreds of people from near and far.

Covering about 5.2 miles, the race begins at 1 p.m. at the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park in Athol and ends at Riverfront Park in Orange. Spectators can catch the action from the South Main Street bridge, where canoes will start lining up at 11:30 a.m. before the official launch. The winner gets a cash prize, bragging rights and the title of River Rat Race champion.

“We have lots of fun things planned for the 60th anniversary, starting with a parade led by the Atholl Scottish Highlanders,” said River Rat Race Director Gail Spring.

The Atholl Highlanders are a ceremonial Scottish regiment based at Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, Scotland. While they don’t have a military role today, they take part in parades, events and special ceremonies wearing full Highland dress.

Spring shared that this year’s race will also introduce special prizes. “We will have a prize for the 60th canoe to cross the finish line, as well as a prize for the 60th number pulled on Friday night at the drawing.”

The excitement kicks off on Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m., when Athol Town Hall will host the Friday night drawing. During this event, the starting positions for participating canoes are randomly selected.

Typically, only the top three finishers receive cash prizes, but Spring hopes to engage more participants this year.

“We are going to pull that prize money out of 10 placings, like you would in a cattle show, so that the locals feel more included,” she explained.

The race’s finish line will also be raffled off at the drawing, as organizers need a replacement for future years.

Another exciting addition to his year’s race is the first-ever President’s Choice Award, recognizing the best-decorated canoe.

“In past races, some competitors have gotten creative with their canoes,” Spring said. “This year, the president of the Lions Club will be picking her favorite, best-dressed boat that goes under the bridge to win. Everyone is really excited about this.”

Additionally, a new class of canoes is being introduced to the race reserved for residents of the North Quabbin area. This new category aims to increase local participation, as the race often sees many out-of-state sign-ups.

“To be in this class, both people in the canoe must be from one of the nine Quabbin towns,” Spring explained.

Beyond the competition, the River Rat Race remains dedicated to giving back to the community. All proceeds made from the race and other Lions Club events are donated to both local and global causes. Spring explained that this year the race proceeds will go toward sending two girls to the Barton Center for Diabetes Education in North Oxford.

The Barton Center provides an educational camp experience for children with diabetes, helping them learn how to manage the disease and lead healthier lives.

To help reach the fundraising goal, the cost of River Rat Race T-shirts and hoodies will increase by $5 this year. These items will be available for purchase at the Friday night drawing and the Athol Lions Club food wagon before and after the race.

For this year’s turnout, Spring shared that numbers are right on target. “The entries are rolling in and things are looking great. We have almost 200 canoes already signed up.”

Online registration will remain open until April 7 at 12 a.m. The cost to register is $60 per canoe. To register online, visit the registration tab at riverratrace.com. It’s recommended to use a computer rather than a mobile device, as mobile formatting may not display correctly.

In-person registration drop-off forms are due by 4 p.m. on April 7 at Else Where, located at 1485 Main St. in Athol. Youth and young adult registrations must be completed at Else Where.

Only registrations received before 7 p.m. on April 11 will be eligible for the Friday night drawings. Any physical forms submitted after this deadline will be placed at the end of the race lineup.

“If you are in the area on April 12, do yourself a favor and come,” Spring said. “It’s all about having a lot of fun and raising money for a good cause.”

All information regarding the race can be found at riverratrace.com. With questions, email gjspring@yahoo.com.