The 4th annual Petaluma River Marathon/Half Marathon will take place on Labor Day Sunday morning, September 2, 2007. All classes of rowing and paddling boats are welcome.
The river is one of the most beautiful rowing and paddling venus in California, that just happens to be almost precisely the length of a half marathon. In normal circumstances the water is quite flat because the wind is calm, the scenery is stunning and there are very few motorboat wakes.
The full marathon (26.2 miles) will begin in Petaluma, go downriver 13.1 miles to the Highway 37 bridge at the mouth of the river, and return to Petaluma. The half marathon will begin at the same point, and turn half way to the Highway 37 bridge.
Enter 38.2314° N,122.6294° W in the search box on Google Maps to see the start and finish points. Enter 38.115° N, 122.505° W to see the downstream turn for the marathon.
The Petaluma River has significant tidal currents. This year the starting time will be close to max ebb, making the full marathon shorter and faster and the half longer and slower. Start times are 7am for the full=and 8:00 am for the half.
Entries are made online at www.Regattacentral.com. Go to http://www.regattacentral.com, Click on the "Regattas" tab on top,
Scroll to the date, 9/02, and then select Registration form from the options on the left.
The entry fee includes insurance, lunch and a participant's medal for all competitors, along with the race. Any surplus will be for the benefit of Friends of the Petaluma Rivers.
The race packet will be posted soon on Regatta Central, as well as websites of the North Bay Rowing Association, The Friends of theRiver, and Berkeley Rowing and Paddling Club.
Big S Curve on the river
S Curve on the Petaluma River, view from southeast with California Coastal Range in the background
