KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On July 23 at 7 a.m. more than 500 boats and nearly 700 racers will begin the 19th Annual Missouri American Water MR340 river race.

Participants will paddle 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles in non-motorized boats, kayaks and canoes in a four-day race to the finish line.

“The Missouri American Water MR340 race brings awareness to the importance of our rivers, specifically as reliable sources of drinking water for millions throughout the state,” said Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water, a major supplier of drinking water. “As the water service provider for one in four Missourians, our team is dedicated to the delivery of safe and clean water now and for future generations.”

Race proceeds benefit the event host, Missouri River Relief and the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, organizations promoting environmental stewardship and education. Approximately 40 volunteers from Missouri American Water will join Missouri River Relief staff and hundreds of other volunteers to help organize and facilitate the race.

“The Missouri American Water MR340 brings together racers, ground crews, volunteers, towns and cities, sponsors and spectators from around the country and globe,” said Taby Lane, race manager. “This wave of a few thousand participants will work across the state in a few days’ time and, together, make the race a wonderful experience and event promoting Missouri River Relief’s mission of drawing awareness and connecting people to the Missouri River.”

Racers and their support ground crews will be stopping at nearly all boat ramps along the Missouri River.

The race begins on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 a.m. from the Kaw Point Park on the Kansas River directly across from downtown Kansas City, Mo., where the Kaw (Kansas) empties into the Missouri River.

They have 85 hours to complete the event which is the duration of time where safety boats will be patrolling the length of the course. Paddlers competing in solo, tandem and team boats may stop and sleep or paddle throughout the 340 miles with minimal stops. Checkpoints such as the Hermann Riverfront Park will become the last sleeping spot for those completing the race by Friday. Expect a steady stream of paddlers throughout the day Thursday into the overnight hours to visit the Hermann park to meet groundcrews which typically include family and friends.

Another spot in the region to catch the race is from the Jefferson City check point at the Carl R. Noren access on Cottonwood Street upstream of the Highway 54/63 bridge. Paddlers are expected to begin arriving in the morning and will check-in throughout the day on Wednesday, July 24.

Lead paddlers could arrive at the finish line as early as the evening of July 24 with most paddlers finishing throughout Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum,1050 S. Riverside Drive in St. Charles.

The four-day event ends with a finish line party held Friday at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse from 6 to 9 p.m. and the top finishers in each category will be recognized at the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Live music will be played before and after the awards. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.6 million people. About Missouri River Relief

Missouri River Relief is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River through river cleanups, education programs and recreation.

Since 2001, over 32,000 volunteers have removed over 2 million pounds of trash from the Missouri River and its floodplain. River Relief has worked with over 35,000 students and teachers to build direct connections, knowledge and experience of our nation’s longest river. High school and middle school students from Hermann, Owensville, and New Haven in the immediate area have participated in Missouri River Relief education and career festivals held previously in Hermann and New Haven.