Competitive rowing races planned for Chicago River

(Above) Artist’s conception of The Chicago River Race being planned for next October.

28-Oct-12 – Next year at about this time, the Chicago River could be anything but calm as competitive rowers race from Chinatown to Merchandise Mart.

The Chicago River Race will run October 12-13 in 2013. It will be the river’s first international rowing event, attracting world-class rowers from 13 countries as well as local teams. The event is intended to raise awareness and money for programs to help Chicago’s urban youth.

Jennifer Butsch, Vice President of Sponsorship at Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., has been working on the project since she was named CEO of The River Race, Ltd., in January 2011. The race was originally planned for 2012 but put more firmly on the city’s calendar for next year when Mayor Rahm Emmanuel included it with other river recreation projects at a news conference on September 19, 2012.

“The city’s support is critical to hosting a successful, high profile rowing event,” said Butsch. “The Chicago River Race will add our city to the map of legendary global rowing events.”

The race will start at Ping Tom Park on the city’s south side, pass under 16 bridges, and finish three miles north in front of Merchandise Mart. There will be five categories of competitors, such as elite international coxed fours – including teams from Oxford and Cambridge – and junior quadruple sculls.

(Above) A coxed four rowing team. The four rowers race in a long, narrow boat called a “shell.” Photo obtained from International Rowing Federation.

In time, materials, and donations, $250,000 has been raised so far to help develop the race.

According to The River Race, Ltd., competitive rowing is not new to the Chicago River – there have been races in the early 1990s, early 2000s, and as recently as 2005 – but the 2013 event will be bigger.