ATHOL – Despite fickle weather conditions, canoeists and spectators alike enthusiastically awaited the start of Saturday’s 59th running of the annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange.

From about 11 a.m. until just before boats were put in the water – around 12:30 p.m. – a steady stream of canoe teams made their way to the check-in area at Rich Park in Athol. During that time, spectators began lining up along both sides of the Main Street Bridge and either bank of the Millers River in hopes of getting the best view of the race’s start.

While skies were generally cloudy, the sun tried several times to break through. At other times, strong winds buffeted canoeists and spectators alike, and a passing shower several minutes before the start of the race had folks wondering if this year’s event would be a wet one. However, even though the clouds remained, the winds died down, the rain abated and a cheer went up once paddles hit the water.

After the starting cannon was fired and the nearly 180 canoes made their way beneath Athol’s Main Street bridge on their way to Orange, spectators jumped in their cars and headed to Orange for the finish. The winning canoe was paddled by Ryan Zaveral and Shane MacDowell.

Participants and spectators aren’t the only ones who look forward to River Rat weekend. Mike Vyas, owner of Country Convenience Store, was happy to see the crowds arrive.

“We usually have a very good day the day of the race,” he said. “Business is fairly steady, but it gets quite brisk between noon and one, when people show up to see the start of the race. Things slow down a bit after people head to Orange to see the finish, but it’s still a good day for us.”

A number of paddlers who showed up Saturday were running their first River Rat Race. Among them were Steven Landry of Pepperell and Billy Ghio of Ashburnham. Landry and Ghio both said their families had been very encouraging regarding their first River Rat foray.

“We’ve been to a couple to watch,” said Landry, as he and Ghio were loosening the ropes and bungee cords that secured their canoe to the top of the SUV. “This really is only our second time in a canoe. We’ve always heard about the River Rat, and we used to go once in a while when I was a kid.”

Other first-timers included Rich Belanger and Jacob Logan, both of Gardner, and both of whom were decked out in costumes reminiscent of fictional NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby from the movie “Talladega Nights.” Belanger said he and his teammate were competing in a borrowed canoe.

“We just wanted to try something new,” he said, “It’s always good to try something new.”

“It looked like it would be fun,” added Logan.

Asked if he and Logan had done anything to prepare for the 5.2-mile race, Belanger replied, “No. We’re just a couple of in-shape guys.”

Mike and Brie Choate made the two and a half hour trip from Pike, New Hampshire, to Athol to compete in their first River Rat Race. The two were paddling the “Pink Pack Raft,” said Brie. The two are related to Todd Bowdridge, a firefighter/EMT – and bagpiper – with the Athol Fire Department.

“We’ve been canoeing off and on all our lives,” she said.

In addition to taking part in the race, the couple were in Athol to visit with family.

“We even got to ride in a fire truck in the parade this morning,” said Mike.

One competitor very familiar with the River Rat is Becky Coffin of Templeton, who was running her 28th race. She was teamed up with Jay Franklin, also of Templeton, who was paddling his ninth Athol-to-Orange race.

“My brother did it,” said Coffin, “and he taught me some tricks.”

Her main reason for being a regular, she explained, is because “it’s a good time; and it’s good for the community.”

Rich Murcell staked out a spot on the Main Street Bridge to cheer on his son-in-law, Bill Cody, who was in one of the canoes.

“But I’ve been here every year since I was little,” he said. “We’ll watch the start and then scoot over to Orange to catch the finish.”

Murcell had taken part in another annual competition earlier in the day.

“My daughter (Ciji Cody) and I both ran the Big Cheese 5K this morning,” he said. “I was really impressed with how many teens and pre-teens took part in that race. It was good to see.”

Bruce Gow and his son Bruce Jr. of Ashburnham didn’t have any friends or family in Saturday’s race, but the senior Gow said he has watched the contest for many years. He brought his son to see the race when he was just an infant.

Among those manning the entrance to the check-in area at Rich Park was Rich Riddell. Riddell said he has been volunteering for 13 years.

“It’s always kind of fun and it’s always different,” he said. “I like it. I help out here (at the parking lot), and help out with other things as well, like hanging the banner across Main Street in Orange. I’m sure I’ll be back next year. (Former race director) Dave Flint is the one that talked me into volunteering, and I guess I’ll do it as long as I can.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.