Event Overview
The Bluegrass River Run has risen to become the most well attended and all-inclusive paddling event in Kentucky with nearly 400 attendees in 2019! Participants launch from Fort Boonesborough State Park paddling along pool 9 of the Kentucky River, which is located just south of Lexington. The journey allows you to take in the incredible beauty of the 60+ ft cliffs of the palisades and the camaraderie of floating with people from all across the region. At the 6-mile finish line at Clay's Ferry, you'll be greeted with music from a headliner, as well as the scrumptious food from Proud Mary BBQ. There will also be an outdoor recreational festival with tons of activities for all ages. For the folks who want more of a fitness challenge, they launch first before the hundreds of floaters hit the water with your choice of the 19 Mile Lock 10 to Lock 9 Challenge or the 6 Mile Boonesborough Beach to Proud Mary Dash canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard races. If you can’t BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat), don’t fret there will have plenty of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs for rent.
3 Great Things to do before or after hitting the water
Tour Fort Boonesborough State Park. Fort Boonesborough was founded by none other than the legendary Daniel Boone and his men following their crossing of the Kentucky River 1775. The settlement they founded, known as Boonesborough, Kentucky, is Kentucky’s second-oldest European-American settlement. The fort has been reconstructed as a working fort complete with cabins, blockhouses and furnishings. Resident artisans perform craft demonstrations and give modern-day visitors a true sense of what life was like for pioneers in Kentucky.
Visit the Red River Gorge —just 45 minutes away by car. The Red River Gorge National Geological Area and adjacent Clifty Wilderness Area is 40,000 acre + swath of land known for its sea of hemlock, beech, pine trees, patches of wildflowers, miles of limestone cliff line carved out by the once-mighty Red River. The Red is Kentucky’s top outdoor playground with miles of hiking trails, front & backcountry camping opportunities, contains the state’s only National Wild and Scenic River, and is an international destination for rock climbing.
Tour the Bourbon Trail. 95% of the world’s Bourbon is produced in Kentucky. In 1999 The Kentucky Distiller’s Association created the road trip-style experience for bourbon lovers to visit the Bluegrass State’s signature distilleries. We suggest starting at Town Branch Distillery in nearby Lexington, KY.
Prices through 3/15/2020
19 Mile Lock 9 to Lock 10 Challenge: $50 plus sales tax & processing fee
6 Mile Boonesborough Beach to Proud Mary Dash: $45 plus sales tax & processing fee
6 Mile Pickin and Grinning Paddle: $30 plus sales tax & processing fee
Host
The Explore Kentucky Initiative
Bottom Out Risk
No
Body Of Water
Kentucky River