Texas's Only Charity Kayak Race! The Sixth Annual Great Castell Kayak Race, is scheduled the first weekend in June, Saturday, June 7th, on the Llano River, between Mason and Fredericksburg. The race begins at the Hwy 87 silver suspension bridge that is familiar to many Texans as they cross the Llano River entering or leaving the Texas Hill Country. Music, barbecue and camping will be provided at the finish line, 12 miles downstream, in tiny Castell.
This year the race is in memory of Judith Curtis, who succumbed to cancer in 2007. Judith's two surviving sisters have teamed up to raise funds for cancer awareness through the auspices of the Lance Armstrong Foundation with this grassroots event they started in 2003.
Although Judith was taken by melanoma cancer, she inspired all around her and is responsible for bringing cancer needs to the forefront of cancer awareness in Mason Texas, where she resided. Her sisters have continued the cause in her absence. Janice Ramahlo of Atlanta, Ga. has always been a supporter of the race, she works for the Jeff Foxworthy family who have also contributed each year. After experiencing the trauma of dealing with survival issues, treatment issues and the emotional impact on family and friends she and Race Director Jeri Alice Arsenault, are working hard this year to reach out to help others in honor of their sister's race to survive.
The connection with Lance Armstrong began in Fredericksburg,Texas where Judith was treated by the same oncologist as Armstrong. From that very moment she felt hope and wanted to meet Lance- he was a hero to her. Many outstanding people came into her life because she showed champion-like courage and determination despite her prognosis. She was employed at Mason's popular Santos Taqueria (www.santostaqueria.com) where she constantly amazed everyone with her smile and charm, becoming part of their extended family. So many other people in Mason, Fredericksburg and at MD Anderson, where she received advanced treatment, enjoyed her wry humor and bright smile.
The connection with Lance Armstrong began in Fredericksburg,Texas where Judith was treated by the same oncologist as Armstrong. From that very moment she felt hope and wanted to meet Lance- he was a hero to her. Many outstanding people came into her life because she showed champion-like courage and determination despite her prognosis. She was employed at Mason's popular Santos Taqueria (www.santostaqueria.com) where she constantly amazed everyone with her smile and charm, becoming part of their extended family. So many other people in Mason, Fredericksburg and at MD Anderson, where she received advanced treatment, enjoyed her wry humor and bright smile.
As fate would have it, a member of Lance's team lives in Castell, where Judith's sister, Jeri Alice, started the event in 2003. One thing led to another and now, GCKR is a certified grassroots fundraiser for LAF. This gives the race a solid outlet for the fundraising that is part of every year's event. This new partnership is perfect for the event as it is national in scope, thus bringing tourism to the Hill Country region, and even better, LAF provides local community support in the form of community grants and direct support to cancer survivors and their families regardless of location.
The race has a new "put in" point this year courtesy of the Llano River RV Park at the 87 river bridge over the Llano. Breakfast tacos and coffee for the racers will be available at the starting point, as well as clean restrooms, camping and a place for your RV! Please call 866-640-9696 for reservations to camp or park at the Park or visit their web site at www.llanoriverrvpark.com
The race has a new "put in" point this year courtesy of the Llano River RV Park at the 87 river bridge over the Llano. Breakfast tacos and coffee for the racers will be available at the starting point, as well as clean restrooms, camping and a place for your RV! Please call 866-640-9696 for reservations to camp or park at the Park or visit their web site at www.llanoriverrvpark.com
While paddling or floating the 12 miles downstream to Castell, participants are encouraged to gather trash for the Llano River Cleanup for Lance. There is a prize for the most trash gathered. Particpates can register at the "put in" point starting at 8AM the day of the race or online at the race web site, www.castelltexas.com. Call early to reserve your spot! Early registration of $35 guarantees the 2008 race t-shirt, provided by Guaran-Tees, race fee, free camping at the finish line at RiverSounds in Castell and bottled water, provided by the race's newest sponsor, RVOS Insurance of Temple Texas. Shuttles will also be provided free of charge.
At the finish line a traditional live Texas music serenade and street dance are sponsored this year by the Dallas Songwriters Group, the Austin Songwriters Group, and Texas Songwriters in the Round. There is no cover charge for the street dance, thanks to the generosity of the musicians who are donating their time and talent to support LAF.
At the finish line a traditional live Texas music serenade and street dance are sponsored this year by the Dallas Songwriters Group, the Austin Songwriters Group, and Texas Songwriters in the Round. There is no cover charge for the street dance, thanks to the generosity of the musicians who are donating their time and talent to support LAF.
Llano's historic Badu House www.baduhouse.com hosts this year's pre-race dinner and auction in the posh pioneer ambiance of their banquet hall on Friday, June 6th, the night before the race. Race organizers are currently accepting donations and auction items. The dinner starts at 6:30 and will include Texas wines and hill country cuisine. Among the auction items are Mason's Sandstone Cellars award winning wines www.sandstonecellarswinery.com ,and various Bed & Breakfast stays and dinners from several area restaurants. 100% of auction proceeds go directly to LAF. The auction is for all landlubbers (and paddlers too)! Visit www.hill-country-visitor.com online for lodging options.
Hill Country Radio stations KBAY (www.radiohillcountry.com), KFAN (www.texasrebelradio.com) , and KRVL (www.krvl.com) will provide updates on the events and music lineup on their websites, as well as on air. Additionally, Kerrville's KRVL-FM will broadcast live from the shoreline as the winners come ashore. BBQ will be provided by Miller's Meats of Mason.
Hill Country Chambers, banks, newspapers, magazines, restaurants and other area businesses are helping bring the event to fruition with donations of auction items, services, and various levels of sponsorship. Potential sponsors interested in supporting this worthy cause still have a chance to get their logos on the posters, t-shirts and press releases that go out around the state in April, May and early June, by contacting Ms. Arsenault at (512) 247-4596.
Remember this is a family event and any non-motorized floating devices are allowed, including kayaks, canoes, rafts and tubes. Although no pets are allowed at the finish line. GCKR is a member of the Llano and Mason Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of Texas Canoe Racing Association.
More info:
512-217-4596
www.castelltexas.com
