For the City Times

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters summer baseball team has organized the 2nd Annual Raft the Wisconsin Race, where contestants will paddle and run their way to the finish line. The Raft the Wisconsin Race will take place at 10am on Saturday, August 6th. The starting location will be in front of the former Daily Tribune building at 220 First Avenue South, where individual participants will launch their rafters and paddle to the east-side riverbank. From there they must run or walk to Witter Field, almost a mile away.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters organization has been host to other events that promote healthy lifestyles and really wanted to incorporate rafting across the river, said Rafters General Manager John Fanta.

“Last year’s Race the Wisconsin contest was such a fun event for all that attended and we wanted to do it again,” said Fanta. “The River is such a beautiful feature for our community and we want to gather people together to highlight one of the many ways we can utilize it for recreational activities, while incorporating our Rafting theme.”

The Rafters will recognize the winner Saturday on the field before the team takes on the Kenosha Kingfish at 6:05 p.m., and that top finisher will get to throw the first pitch of the game.

The use of rafts and paddles for the race are included in the $12 registration fee per contestant. Participants also will receive a Rafters hat, a ticket to the Saturday evening Rafters game, and post-race snacks provided at the stadium.

Registration for the 2nd Annual Raft the Wisconsin Race is open now. Fans can sign up by sending an email to info@raftersbaseball.com, by calling the Rafters ticket office at 715-424-5400, or by stopping into the Rafters office at Witter Field. Registration closes at noon on Friday, July 29th.

A Wood County Special Response crew will be in the water with the rafters and auxiliary police officers will direct the runners on the corner of Birch Street and Third Street and on Lincoln Street next to the field.