Water Rides
After cancelling the event in 2020, the Moraine State Park Regatta is paddling back bigger than ever.
The addition of two new races will bring new competitors and attendees to the annual event. Organizers are excited to fill the park Aug. 6 to 8 for a weekend full of free events and activities.
“When the decision was made to extend the event to three days from two days, we had plenty of time to incorporate more activities into the mix,” said Jennifer Murcko, member of the regatta planning board and community relations manager at Deep Well Services.
The two new races are the 5K Sunken Garden Trail Race and the 2021 Annual Pittsburgh Paddlesport Championships and 2021 Annual Pennsylvania SurfSup (SUP) Championships.
For the first time, the Moraine State Park Regatta will feature a 5K Race starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. The 5K was created to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary in 2020.After the 2020 regatta's cancellation because of COVID-19 restrictions, the race will be conducted this year as part of the event's commemorations of 50+1 years of Moraine State Park.The 5K run is a long-distance road-running competition over a distance of five kilometers. Also referred to as the 5K road race, 5 km or simply 5K, it is the shortest of the most common road-running distances. Participants will run or walk along the Sunken Garden Trail.“The Sunken Garden Trail was recently adopted by the Moraine Preservation Fund,” said Amanda Becker, event coordinator for Moraine State Park Regatta and owner of Appleseed Events, Valencia. “A portion of the proceeds will benefit the organization's efforts to maintain and enhance the park's natural beauty.”Participants of all ages are invited to compete for a special prize provided by Deep Well Services. The top male and female times at each age group will receive their choice of either trees or gift cards from local nurseries. There are eight age groups, ranging from children to those 79 or older.“The [regatta planning] team is continually thinking of ways to appeal to a broad crowd and have something for everyone,” Murcko said. “5K is a perfect distance for both runners and walkers of all ages.”
Moraine State Park Regatta will be the site for the 2021 Annual Pittsburgh Paddlesport Championships and 2021 Annual PA SurfSup (SUP) Championships. Canoes and kayaks will be racing across Lake Arthur right next to paddleboarders in a collaborative effort to bring the two races together.Performance Kayak and the American Cancer Society teamed up for their first time ever to host The Pittsburgh Paddlesport Championships in 2018. After two years of hosting in downtown Pittsburgh, the decision was made to move the event up to Moraine State Park.The move from Pittsburgh to Moraine allows participants to take on longer routes that will include more options. The addition of the Pittsburgh Paddlesport Championship means more people will get to experience the park and unique course options of Lake Arthur.The two races will include canoes, kayaks and paddleboarding.Race directors are Hansel Lucas of Performance Kayak, Teresa Segelson of Performance Kayak, Emma Craven of the American Cancer Society and Ian Smith of SurfSUP Adventures.Paddleboarding registration proceeds with SurfSUP Adventures will benefit the First Waves program to support education and conservation efforts for underserved youth in the greater Pittsburgh region.Kayak and canoe registrations will benefit the American Cancer Society.
The Moraine State Park Regatta features activities for all ages, from water and land adventures to nature-themed experiences. This event will have something for everyone with vendors coming in from the local community.The Moraine State Park Regatta is a great opportunity to explore eco-recreational opportunities, participate in themed experiences that are designed just for kids or adults and shop local vendor booths located on site.“Attendees reached approximately 23,000 people in 2019,” Becker said. “We are excited to welcome people back to the regatta.”
