Now is the time to sign up for the seventh annual Duncan-Williams St. Jude Dragon Boat Races at Mud Island River Park in the Wolf River Lagoon on Saturday, May 12.
No experience is necessary. Anyone can register to join an existing team or form a new team of 20 paddlers by visiting stjude.org/dragonboat. Coaches will lead practice sessions during race week, so participants can familiarize themselves with the dragon boats that are 42 feet long and the 300-meter course on the Mississippi River.
Race day presents a fun way for families to gather and celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, too. There will be music, food trucks, and children’s activities for residents who attend.
Among the participating teams will be a group of St. Jude patient families led by team captain and St. Jude survivor Joel Alsup who lost his right arm in 1988 to cancer at age seven. Today he is a supervisor of Creative Media Services for ALSAC/St. Jude and an inspiration to many because he also competes as a triathlete for St. Jude.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world, understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To help the participants reach their fundraising goals, visit stjude.org/dragonboat to donate.
When: Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mud Island River Park in the Wolf River Lagoon at 125 N. Front St. The race route is 300 meters along the Mississippi River.
To register as an individual and be matched with a team, visit stjude.org/dragonboat.
Team fees for registration are $1,200 for nonprofit organizations or community groups and $1,500 for corporations. This includes coaching, equipment, and an event day tent.
