ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Tuesday July 8, about 620 paddlers will launch their boats in the Missouri American Water Missouri River 340 (MR340) river race. From Kansas City, Ks. to St. Charles, Mo., the racers will travel 340 miles across the state – celebrating the importance of the longest river in the U.S. to Missouri’s environment and as a source of drinking water to millions of people.
One of National Geographic’s Top 100 American Adventures – the race combines extreme sports and environmental stewardship. Race proceeds benefit three environmental stewardship and education organizations: Missouri River Relief, the Healthy Rivers Partnership and the Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse.
A record number of paddlers are accepting the 88-hour race challenge this year.
- The starting line, Tuesday July 8, 2014 – 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Racers begin to assemble at about 5:30 a.m.) The MR340 begins at Kaw Point Park, at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, at 1 River City Drive in Kansas City, Ks. Weather conditions may affect race start time.
- Jefferson City, Wednesday, July 9, winners will likely arrive in the morning, with a steady traffic of racers during the day at the Noren Access, on Cottonwood Street, just off of Highway 63, right before the Jefferson City Bridge.
- The finish line, Likely winners’ arrival times begin late Wednesday night on July 9 through Thursday morning July 10. The finish line is at the Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse, 1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301. Racers will continue to arrive all day and night Thursday July 10 through Friday July 11.
- Awards presentation. Friday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m., Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse.
Missouri American Water
Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
Missouri River Relief
Missouri River Relief is a grassroots, volunteer and equipment-based organization dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River through hands-on river clean-ups and education events.
Since its founding, the organization has grown each year. To date, MRR has hosted 91 Missouri River clean-ups, bringing 16,541 volunteers to clean 676 tons of trash from 784 miles of the river. Missouri River Relief has participated in and hosted clean-ups in six states, from the Mississippi River to Yankton, S.D.
Healthy Rivers Partnership
The Healthy Rivers Partnership (HRP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people to their rivers and rivers to their communities. Formed from a shared commitment to water resources, river clean ups and watershed education, the organization does river clean-ups, river education, riparian restoration, on-the-water field trips and provides safety boats and checkpoint coordination for the Missouri River MR340 race.
Rivermiles
Rivermiles has been promoting Missouri River awareness since 2006 with the inaugural running of the Missouri River 340. Rivermiles believes that the best way to protect our river resources is through participation, inviting paddlers and their families to experience the rivers through the adventure of canoe racing.
These events create lifelong fans and stewards of the rivers and link the communities in the watershed in ways they've never considered. The MR340 is known internationally as the world's longest non-stop river race and has attracted paddlers from Japan, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
