ORANGE – The Millers River Challenge – an annual event that benefits the Orange Fireman’s Relief Association, Northfield Dive Team and Orange Lions Club – will take place this Saturday.

The event was first held 15 years ago, but Billy Goat Boats owner and race organizer Jerry Whaland said that due to the COVID pandemic, this will actually be the 12th time the kayak, canoe, and standup paddleboard race has been held. The race takes place on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 25 East River St. in Orange.

The race, said Whaland, draws competitors from across the region. An average of 50 to 75 racers take part, and the event typically raises about $1,500.

“The majority of our racers are folks who take this seriously, from all over New England and New York,” he said. “These people really train; they do 120-mile races and a lot of them are getting ready for triathlon season.”

Whaland said consideration is being given to moving the date of the event to later in the year.

“Quite honestly, the kids races have really been our challenge these last few years,” he said. “When the race was in October we had much better participation. But then it got moved to Labor Day weekend because of conflicts with other events.”

The Millers River Challenge is part of the 2024 New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA) points challenge. The Pro Race of approximately eight miles and begins at 11 a.m. The High School Cup Race (approximately three miles) and Youth Race (about one mile) get underway at 1 p.m. Same-day registration begins at 9 a.m.

Event sponsors include Billy Goat Boats, Else Where, Ken’s Legacy, Youth Action Council, Lyman Signs, Prescott Oil, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, Mount Tully Pet Hotel & Store, Pioneer Junior Women’s Club, Kimball Law Office, Witty’s Funeral Home, Stellar Kayaks & Surf Skis, Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, Quabbin Valley Dental, and S&S Appliance.

“This race would not exist and be happening on a regular basis without the hard work of Donna Reynolds of the Orange Lions and Debbie Allain-Thomas of Else Where in Athol – she’s been a driving force behind this race,” Whaland said. “Between them, they handle the timing, the registration, presenting the awards. And the folks at the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association really give timely and accurate results so that they can figure them into the points series. We have an amazing team that really just knows their job and does it without being told every single year. Without all those people, this just wouldn’t be an event.”

The Millers River Challenge started when Communities Collaborative Inc. was looking for a way to raise money and boost morale. Whaland explained tragedy had struck the Millers River during the summer of 2009, when an 11-year-old girl from Orange drowned after getting swept away after falling into the water while playing with other children. 

“A lot of police, fire and the Northfield Dive Team spent days searching the water, only to bring back bad news. So this was kind of started as a way to give back to those guys,” said Whaland. 

For more information, call 978-577-8420 or email: billygoatboats@gmail.com.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@aol.com.