Proceeds from this year’s Roanoke Canal 5K will be used to purchase a new batteau to replace the one currently on display in the lock at the Roanoke Canal Museum.
There are two batteau at the museum, both in bad shape because they are not made from treated wood, said Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Daughtry. “That’s because they are authentic. We are trying to get the one replaced that is actually in the lock because that is an official exhibit and we want to replace that with another authentic batteau.”
In the gallery: Two batteau are featured in this mural by Napoleon Hill at the museum
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The boats were used to carry trade goods up and down the canal and sometimes people seeking freedom.
Ryan Newsome, parks and recreation maintenance supervisor, said the replica batteau are expensive and hard to find. “There’s not a lot sources for them and we have to get on somebody’s waiting list. The proceeds from the last several events have been earmarked for this.”
(The race is set for September 21 and registration can be found at this link. It begins at the Roanoke Rapids Lake Park off Oakwood Avenue. Race day registration is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is recommended to ensure a T-shirt and packet. There will also be a one-mile fun walk.)
The batteau in the lock is the one museum visitors want to see the most, Daughtry said. “That one is our priority to replace that.”
Newsome said the only source the department has found and one which isn’t a solid lead is through the James River Batteau Festival. “People build batteau and float them down the James River for this event. Some of those people take them home and use them year to year. For some people it’s a one-time event and then they will just sell their boat. There’s a very limited amount and there’s a long waiting list.”
Daughtry said, “We’re at the point where we may have to take a field trip and show up at the festival. We’re having a very hard time finding people who build them or sell them.”
Newsome said 20 have registered for the race as of this report.
Daughtry said the department is focusing on the 5K instead of a half-marathon and 8K. “Registration for the half-marathon had decreased. It uses a lot more resources to do a half-marathon because you’re crossing Roanoke Avenue, you’ve got a train situation, you’ve got to have traffic control for everybody’s safety.”
The 5K gives people who may be just starting out or want to do a shorter run more of an opportunity, she said.
Thomas Goble, Jo Story Senior Center supervisor, said with the event coming a day before the official start of fall, the temperatures should be cooler. “A lot of it is shaded. You’ve got the canopy going to the canal museum and it’s real pretty. It’s usually worked out as far as the weather.”
The route will take runners almost to the museum and there will be people stationed at the turnaround.
Newsome said the top three overall male and female finishers will be awarded and then first place male and female runners from each age division.
The sponsors for the event are Smurfit-West Rock, Dominion Energy, Halifax County Tourism, the Roanoke Canal Commission, and the in-kind help from the Friends of the Canal. “We really appreciate our sponsors,” Daughtry said. “These are sponsors who have sponsored most every year. They are very committed to helping us to provide recreational opportunities for our community.”
The race will also allow runners to see the new informational signs along the trail. “We were able to use some funds through the occupancy tax from tourism to change out all the signs up and down the trail within Roanoke Rapids,” Daughtry said. “It’s the same information.”
Brad Floyd of Express Signs did the new informational signs.
Three banners were expected to be placed today promoting the race and there will be two stand-up banners that people can use for selfies, Goble said.
Run the East is the official timer of the race.
Daughtry hopes that visitors will join the race. “We love for visitors to come and we also like providing an opportunity for local people to have a race that they don’t have to travel to. It gives them that opportunity to participate in a timed race.”
It’s also good practice for the high school’s cross country team, Goble said.
“They use that as a good practice to see how well they’re doing against others,” Daughtry said.
