Rock The River Fun Run Approaching Registration Deadline With 101 Sign-Ups
If no one registered for the fifth annual Rock The River Fun Run between today and August 9—the final day of sign-ups—the Cincinnati-based event would already have its second consecutive year of a 100-plus-boat turnout inked ahead of the August 15-17 event. Unlikely as that scenario is given the popularity of the happening, registration will close this Friday.
Go-fast boats of all shapes and sizes are welcome at the upcoming Rock The River Fun Run—but registration closes Friday. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix
“Not only do we already have more boats signed up than we did last year at this time, they are coming from greater distances,” said Pat Feldhaus, who organizes the event with his brother, Matt. “People are coming from South Georgia, Wisconsin, Northern Michigan and Virginia.
“It’s crazy to think we have people coming that far to run the Ohio River and raise money for the Cecil Dye Foundation, which helps local cancer patients with everyday living expenses such as car payments, house payments, monthly utility bills and groceries.”
In 2023, the Rock The River Fun Run raised more than $25,000 for the nonprofit organization.
Among the first-timers to last year’s event—and one who is returning this year—was Pete Boden, the chief photographer for speedonthewater.com. Boden, who shoots dozens of high-performance boating poker runs and fun runs each year, was impressed with the entire event.
“It offers something for everyone—great boating, great people, great restaurants and great entertainment,” he said.
Tennessee’s Justin and Erin Lucas and their children will tackle the event for the first time this year.
Coverage of last year’s event was enough to pique the interest of newcomer Justin Lucas, who organizes the annual Thunder Run on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky with his friend, Dan Weiss. Lucas and his wife, Erin, are coming from Tennessee to run their 36-foot Statement Marine catamaran in the event.
“It will be fun to check out a new boating area,” he said, then chuckled and began imitating the Ricky Bobby character from Talladega Nights. “Especially with my smoking-hot, stone-cold-fox wife.”
Cincinnati’s Justin Beischel and his wife, Johnna, don’t miss the event, and not just because it is on their home-water.
“The Ohio River is overlooked because of the lakes in the area, but it really is a great place to boat,” said Beischel, an independent electrician who owns a Skater Powerboats 368 catamaran called Short Circuit in reference to his diminutive stature. “I’ve been as far east on the river as Huntington, Va., and as far west as Louisville, Ky., and it’s some great boating.
“The Friday night street party is awesome,” he added. “And we will probably run 100 miles on Saturday.”
Skater catamaran owners Justin and Johnna Beischel wouldn’t miss their hometown event.
Said Feldhaus, “We have a lot of big catamarans and V-bottoms coming, but we really encourage and welcome people with smaller boats to sign up and enjoy. Registration closes Friday so if you’re interested you’ll want to sign up soon.”
Related stories
Rock The River Fun Run Celebrating Fifth Anniversary In August
Rock The River Fun Run A 100-Plus Boat Gem
The post Rock The River Fun Run Approaching Registration Deadline With 101 Sign-Ups appeared first on Speed on the Water.
