American Water Works Co. Inc.

07/15/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2021 14:12

World’s longest non-stop canoe/kayak race returns to Missouri, July 20...

800 Missouri American Water MR340 paddlers race to support river preservation

ST. LOUIS, MO (July 15, 2021) - On Tuesday, July 20, roughly 800 paddlers will launch from Kaw Point Park in Kansas City to begin the 16th Annual Missouri American Water Missouri River 340 (MR340) river race. Participants will paddle 340 miles across the state in this endurance race with the goal of crossing the finish line in St. Charles. The Missouri American Water MR340 brings awareness to the importance of our rivers, which serve as a reliable source of drinking water for millions of Missourians.

The MR340 race combines extreme sports and environmental stewardship. Race proceeds benefit three environmental stewardship and education organizations: Missouri River Relief, Healthy Rivers Partnership and the Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse.

This is the first year that Missouri River Relief has hosted the race. Race founder, Scott Mansker, remains the race director.

WHAT: Roughly 800 paddlers will race from Kansas City, KS to St. Charles, MO for 340 miles within 3 days

WHEN & WHERE:

  • Kansas City starting line,
  • WHEN: Tues., July 20 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
  • WHERE: 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.
  • Jefferson City check point
  • WHEN: Weds., July 21, winners will likely arrive in the morning, with a steady traffic of racers during the day.
  • WHERE: Noren Access, on Cottonwood Street, just off of Highway 63.
  • Charles finish line
  • WHEN: Winners' likely arrival times are early evening Weds., July 21 to early morning, Thurs., July 22. Racers will arrive continuously all day and night Thurs., July 22 through Fri., July 23.
  • WHERE: Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse, 1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301
  • Awards presentation
  • WHEN: Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m.
  • WHERE:Lewis and Clark Nature Center and Boathouse. The overall winner will receive the race's Governor's Cup, presented by Scott Mansker, race director, and Steve Schnarr director of Missouri River Relief.

WHO: Racers, plus staff from Rivermiles, Missouri American Water, Missouri River Relief and Healthy Rivers Partnership are available to tell their race stories and share their commitment to preserving the Missouri River - the water source for nearly half of the state.

Missouri River Relief

Missouri River Relief is a grassroots, volunteer and equipment-based organization dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River through river clean-ups, education programs and recreation.

Since its founding, the organization has grown each year. To date, MRR has hosted 187 Missouri River clean-ups, bringing 28,509 volunteers to clean 970 tons of trash from 1,400 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.

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. For more information, visit www.missouriamwater.com and follow Missouri American Water on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.