2012 marks the 9th anniversary of this the oldest rowing and paddling marathon on the US West Coast. The Petaluma River Marathon serves as the West Coast flat-water championship for the marathon and half-marathon.

Here are the highlights of the plans for this year's event.

The eligible craft are as follows:

Rowing: Sliding-seat (8+, 4+, 4-, 2-, 4x, 2x, 1x), both flat water and open water designs.

Paddling: Kayaks (both ocean and flat water); surfskis; canoes; 1, 2, and 6-person outrigger canoes; and, for the half marathon only, stand-up paddleboards.

Entry: Register at RegattaCentral.com

All participants must READ and SIGN a waiver (standard USRowing language). 

Fees prior to Aug 24: $25, $35, $55, $75, and $95 for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 person boats, respectively. Fees for late registrants (Aug 27 to Sept 2) are $35, $50, $75, $100, & $120, respectively. 

There is limited trailer space. Trailer spots will be reserved in order they are requested—Email: PetalumaRiverMarathon@gmail.com. Please indicate if you anticipate having space on your trailer for other boats.

THERE WILL BE LIMITED ON RIVER SUPPORT. All participants must be fit and capable of steering a good course and have the experience to safely handle any unexpected problems. First-time

participants are strongly advised NOT to attempt the full marathon unless they, including ALL

members of the crew, have completed at least one training outing at that distance in less than 4.5

hours. Similarly, SUP entants must be able to paddle 13 miles in less then 3.5 hours.

Plans for the 2011 event - Back to Labor Day Sunday

For 2011 the Petaluma River Marathon returns to the original concept of a Labor Day weekend event, with formal sponsorship by the North Bay Rowing Club.

The complete brochure for the event is available from PetalumaRiverMarathon@gmail, and here are some of the key details:

• Eligible Craft: Rowed or paddled craft as follows: Rowing: Sliding-seat (8+, 4+, 4-, 2-, 4x, 2x, 1x), both flat water and open water designs. Paddling: Kayaks (both ocean and flat water); surfskis; canoes; 1, 2, and 6-person outrigger canoes; and, for the half marathon only, stand-up paddleboards.

•Prizes: Medals for all who complete their event, and special recognition for winning crew of each division.

•Entry: Register at RegattaCentral.comAll participants must READ and SIGN a waiver (standard USRowing language). Fees prior to Aug 26: $25, $35, $55, $75, and $95 for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 person boats, respectively. Fees for late registrants (Aug 27 to Sept 3) are $35, $50, $75, $100, & $120, respectively. There is limited trailer space. Trailer spots will be reserved in order they are requested—Email: PetalumaRiverMarathon@gmail.com. Please indicate if you anticipate having space on your trailer for other boats.

•THERE WILL BE LIMITED ON RIVER SUPPORT. All participants must be fit and capable of steering a good course and have the experience to safely handle any unexpected problems. First-time participants are strongly advised NOT to attempt the full marathon unless they, including ALL members of the crew, have completed at least one training outing at that distance in less than 4.5 hours. Similarly, SUP entants must be able to paddle 13 miles in less then 3.5 hours.

Plans for the 2010 event

The 2010 Petaluma River Marathon/Half Marathon will be an informal outing on what may be the most beautiful long stretch of water in California, if not the West Coast.

Here are some relevant details

• This is a non-supported event, please plan accordingly.
• We will have an incoming tide, which means the earlier and faster we row out, the more advantageous the conditions will be. Plus, we'll have a good push homeward. While the (non-) official start time is 8am, please feel free to set-off earlier, within reason, coordinating the as-yet-to-be-determined timer if you want to know your time.
• The post-race festivities are potluck
• There are two options for the half marathon

1. For those who want an out-and-back course, there will be buoy at the 1/4 marathon distance, about 6.55 miles downstream from the start.
2. For those who want a one way experience, there is a pull out at the Highway 37 bridge, about 13.1 miles downstream from the start. Boat pick-up arrangements are to be made individually by participants choosing this option.
   

• A $10 donation is welcomed.

The river is one of the most beautiful rowing and paddling venues in California, and this stretch 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 people will be starting around ebb-to-flood slack, and the flood current (from the Bay towards Petaluma) will make the outbound legs longer and inbound legs shorter.

Rowing the half or full marathon distance is not an overwhelming task, provided you do not push too hard and you exercise some care about eating and drinking appropriately on the water. A few participants in 2009 bonked because they did not eat or drink enough. As they can tell you, is not fun when you cramp up for wont of water or muscle glycogen.

Please read the May 30, 2007 blog post on hydration and the July 13, 2007 blog post on nutrition. These are by a fabulous elite rower/professional nutritionist and they will help you make the right plans.

Phenomenal conditions for the 2009 event

This picture captures the salient features of this year's marathon: blue skies, flat water, no motor boats, and a favorable tide.

A great time was had by all, though a couple of 1x scullers dehydrated into serious cramps in the feet and quadriceps and one sculler bonked from lack of fuel. All recovered in time for the medal presentation.

The top performers were Robert Lombardi from Ashland Rowing Club, winner of the full marathon in just over 3:17, Diane Davis from South End Rowing Club, top woman in the half, and Greg Lewis from Lake Merit Rowing Clup, top man in the half.

In the "most remarkable" category, two quads from the Stanford Rowing Club finished within 10 seconds of each other after 26.2 strenuous miles.

A couple of questions and answers

Are kayak and outrigger canoe paddlers welcome?

You betcha

Can one just show up?

Yes, but it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED if you send an e-mail with you plans to PetalumaRiverMarathon09@gmail.com

Name

News of the 2009 event, August 8

Overview:
Since 2004, the Petaluma River Marathon has served as the West Coast flat-water marathon/half marathon championship. This event this year is informal run by the participants and a few volunteers. There will be no on-the-river support.
This is one of the most beautiful and fun races on the the west coast. Bring plenty of water and food for the race. There is a beautiful picnic area for the post race potluck BBQ--grills and briquets provided.
The race takes advantage of a unique combination of favorable factors:
Excellent racing conditions: The water is usually flat at race time, and there is very little interference from
motorboat wakes. The air temperature is cool at start time. The “river” (it is really an estuary) is almost precisely half-marathon length. So the full marathon is from head to mouth (on San Francisco Bay) and back.
Beautiful venue: The picture above of the S curve on the lower Petaluma does not exaggerate the unique
character of the river. For most of its course, the river flows through a nature preserve that conveys an impression of pre-Conquest California. In the foreground, the competitors will pass next to native plants and wildlife, and in the background the California coastal range rises to define the horizon.
Fortunate coincidence: The river is almost precisely 13.1 miles from the mouth in downtown to the mouth at
San Francisco Bay. The marathon course is down and back. The Half Marathon turns around at the winery dock approximately half way.
Entry: All participants must READ and SIGN a NBRC guest waiver. THERE WILL BE NO ON RIVER SUPPORT. All participants must be fit and capable of steering a good course and handling any unexpected problems. NO NOVICE COXWAINS.
$10 suggested donation: You may just show up the morning of the race, but an email indicating your event and type of boat and the names of any others in your boat would be appreciated
(PetalumaRiverMarathon09@gmail.com).
Prizes:Beautiful 3 Color Medals with a graphic of the above S-curve.
Eligible craft: 1x, 2x,2-, 4x, 4+/- and 8+ only. Due to insurance limitations this year's event is NOT open to paddled craft.
Start/Finish Location and Course: There will be a brief participants meeting at 7:30 am. Marathon boats will start at 8:00am, Half Marathon at
8:45.
The race begins and ends at the docks of the North Bay Rowing Club at the end of 2nd Street in
Petaluma California. Enter 38.2314° N,122.6294° W in the search box on Google Maps to see the start and finish point. Racers can park in the parking lot at Foundry Wharf adjacent to the gate into the North Bay Rowing Club boatyard.
The full marathon (26.2 miles) will begin at the NBRC docks in Petaluma, go downriver 13.1 miles and turn around under the Highway 37 bridge at the mouth of the river, and return to the start. Enter 38.115° N,122.505° W in the Google maps search window to see the downstream turn for the marathon.
The half marathon will begin at the same point and turn around at the winery dock (38.1756° N, 122.5356° W) 2600 meters down river from Lakeville (see pictures below). We are hoping to have a buoy at the winery dock, but participants should prepared to turn at the dock if there is no buoy. Look for the row of large palm trees at the winery. Those unfamiliar with the course should use a GPS or study the Google maps to be sure not to miss the turn. Note the “Half Marathon” is approximately 14.5 miles.
Participants MUST KEEP STARBOARD NEAR SHORE AT ALL TIMES.
The start will be on the ebb tide (flowing downriver). Slack water at the river entrance is at 9:34am, and at the half marathon turnaround at 10:14 and 10:25 at the finish. Marathon rowers will be riding the tides in both direction. Conditions are perfect for new course records.
Nutrition and Hydration:
The half marathon can be as short as 1.5 hours for a fast double scull to twice that for a recreational paddler in a sea kayak. Double these times for the full marathon. The physical challenges for these distances are linked strongly to good nutrition and good hydration. Make sure you bring enough food and water. Five quarts or more of water and one to two thousand calories may be necessary during the marathon. The are excellent essays by Elizabeth Brown, a former national team rower and currently a sports nutritionist at San José State University are available on this blog at http://petalumarivermarathon.blogspot.com/2007/05/hydration-marathon-how-much-to-drink.html.
Contact, Info, Questions and Comments:
Email PetalumaRiverMarathon09@gmail.com
Volunteers needed and encouraged.