Do you have what it takes to navigate the 750 coldwater miles from the Lower 48 to Alaska?

The first-ever Race to Alaska (R2AK) starts with a celebratory send-off party hosted by the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) on June 3. The “Pre-Race Ruckus” will be held in the Pope Marine Park (adjacent to the NWMC) from 5-7 pm and will feature live music, a beer garden and food carts. There will be an opportunity to see the boats and meet the characters who have entered into this inaugural event.

Over 60 teams will depart Port Townsend in the wee hours on June 4 (rumor has it sometime between 4 and 5 am!), headed for the Stage 1 finish in Victoria, BC. Stage 2 will leave Victoria on June 7. The race ends 750 miles later in Ketchikan, Alaska. The winner receives $10,000 and the second place finisher gets a set of steak knives. Join the fun at the “Pre-Race Ruckus” to send them off in style the day before the race start! www.NWMaritime.org