RJ Hollis
Calling all river enthusiasts to paddle in the 9th Annual Great Iowa River Race! Recreational and competitive paddlers alike are invited to participate and may choose from numerous canoe, kayak, and paddleboard divisions.
The event will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, and will begin at 10:00 a.m. Paddlers will start the race at Sturgis Ferry Park in Iowa City and will cross the finish line nine miles downriver at the Hills Campground in Hills, IA.
Race day check-in will open at 8:00 a.m. at Sturgis Ferry Park. Following the race, lunch will be served for race participants at the Hills Campground finish point. Free transportation will be provided to ferry participants back to the start. Safety is the biggest consideration; the race will be dependent on safe weather conditions and water levels.
The entry fee is $30; there is no day-of registration and all registration closes on June 6th. Those who register by May 28th are guaranteed a commemorative race t-shirt. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for $10 while supplies last.
To register go to: https://paddleguru.com/races/GreatIowaRiverRace2018. Contact JCC Naturalist Kristen Morrow at 319-645-1011 or at km*****@co.us for more information. This event is hosted by the Johnson County Conservation Board, in partnership with the City of Iowa City, Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, and Fin and Feather. For those interested in signing on as a race sponsor, contact Brad Freidhof at bf*******@co.us. Local companies can also enter into the Company Challenge division to compete against other local organizations.