Run of the Royal Signup, Details & Helpful Hints
The fourth annual Run of the Royal Corporate Canoe Challenge will be on a Saturday May 18, 2019, all proceeds benefiting the Royal River Conservation Trust. The race begins at 10:00 am. Pre-race meetings are at 9:30 am. The race starts and ends at Yarmouth History Center, East Elm Street, Yarmouth. LL Bean will host a paddlers’ clinic Wednesday evening May 15, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Yarmouth History Center. Maine Beer hosts paddlers, guests, and others at Maine Beer in Freeport at 3pm on Saturday after the race.
The race’s relay format, with eight racers paddling four legs (two paddlers/leg) is an amazing team-building opportunity. Though the race is targeted at company and employee teams (with their friends, kids, others), any group is welcome to participate.
Can’t find eight paddlers? A single paddler may paddle as many legs as they wish. For example, pull together a team of four and have each paddler do two legs. Family members and guests are also invited to join company or organizational teams; we’ve welcomed lots of young girls and young boys as paddlers. We’ll provide the boat and paddles, if you don’t have them!
Last year we had more than 20 teams (more than 100 paddlers) registered from companies including Summit, Dugas, Planson, Hancock, Bean, Garmin, Stantec, Maine Beer, and more.
Race Fees and Signup
Reserve your spot early to save big! Our early-registration corporate discount ends in April 2019. Any team who wishes to reference a sponsoring business should sign up for the Corporate Team category. Simply select your team option and click the “Run the Royal Signup Now” button.
(If a check is easier for your company, and avoiding credit card fees for us, mail a check to RRCT, P.O.Box 90, 04096.)
New since 2018: Longer and Shorter Race Options; Paddling Clinics
Some teams in 2017 found the 2.7-mile out-and-back loop too long, so we are offering a shorter 1.7-mile loop option (see the race course map below). The top three team finishers in both lengths will receive awards. The longer loop took anywhere from 30 to 55 minutes per leg depending on your team’s skill and effort level, and the shorter loop should take 20 to 35 minutes. We recommend the shorter loop for less experienced paddlers and teams looking for a more recreational experience.
Also in 2018 we began practice paddling sessions and paddling clinics in the days leading up to the race, with support from LL Bean and Maine Beer. Stay tuned for details. Current plans for the clinic is the Wednesday prior to the race.
Scroll Down for Rules and Helpful Hints!
Rules and Helpful Hints
- Paddling Clinic: Wed May 15th at 5:30 pm. Let us know (racers/paddlers) if you did not get the clinic information.
- Pre-Race Meeting, 9:30am at the boat ramp – A representative from each team must attend a pre-race meeting immediately before the start to review the course, potential hazards, medical emergency procedures, communications and safety procedures. This information must be distributed by the representative to all team members. The race starts at 10:00 am.
- Life Jackets – Maine law requires life jackets to be worn by all paddlers on the water. Whistles are provided at race start and must be affixed to life jacket of one jacket per team. For teams using canoes provided by RRCT, we will provide you with two life jackets and two paddles. Therefore you will need to pass them on to the next leg, or bring more life jackets or paddles of your own. If you are bringing your own canoe, you will need to provide your own paddles and life jackets. No need to pass on the jackets to the next leg as long as everyone paddling is wearing one.
- Boats and Paddles – If you are bringing your own canoe and paddles, the paddles shall be single blade only (i.e no kayak paddles). There are no boat categories. We’ll provide canoes (16′ Discovery or equivalent) to all registrants who need them, and two paddles per boat, and two PFDs, and coordinate in advance of the race on gear. Plan to use just one canoe, and swap the canoe with each relay leg. Some folks bring racing boats or personal recreational boats; the boats we provide are recreational boats. We aim for fun, more than competition.
- Race Lengths – Teams must select one of the two race lengths available before beginning the race, and may not switch during the race. Teams that do not complete their assigned length will be disqualified.
- Each boat will have its assigned number affixed to both sides of the bow. The team captain will receive the stickers at the registration table.
- Paddlers may paddle as many of the (4) legs as they wish. We encourage friends, family, young girls, young boys, as paddlers.
- Contestants must pass off their boats to team members at the relay transitions without assistance.
- Possession or consumption of alcohol during the race, at the start or at the finish is against Maine law and prohibited. Consumption of alcohol at the Yarmouth History Center (YHC) or at Royal River Park is strictly prohibited.
- Competitors are responsible for their own transportation. Parking is at a premium and carpooling is highly recommended. There will be no parking in the YHC lot during the event, and the Royal River lot across the street will also be closed to race competitors. We have access to roughly 60 spaces at the Masonic Lodge on Main Street, as well as the lot at William H. Rowe School. We will NOT have a shuttle bus running this year.
- The awards ceremony for the shorter course option will be held at approximately 12-12:30pm, and the awards ceremony for the longer course option will be held at approximately 2-2:30pm (pending weather and results).
- Maine Beer is hosting everyone and their friends at 3:00 pm in Freeport after the race. Join us!
- And most importantly…HAVE FUN!
Here are two forms 2019 Rules and Information and 2019 – Team Details with more details, distributed to team captains in advance of the race.
Only our generation can save the remaining land before it is too late: 
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