Race for the Rivers

01/09/2026

Greg Poleski - a mentor, a friend, the advocate.

Greg Poleski was born along the Mississippi River and became a friend and mentor to many. He was the person Missouri’s rivers and the Midwest needed when challenges arose, such as those on Bangert Island and Cora Island, and he helped uncover harmful development plans.

Whenever Greg saw a need—a floodplain to protect, public lands needing a voice, a developer or politician acting in their own interest, a letter to the editor to write, volunteers needing a leader, or river experts needing to share their knowledge—he jumped in and did everything he could. His dedication was recognized in 2016 with the “Missouri River Hero” award from Missouri River Relief, and in 2019, he received the Stream Team Ambassador Award for Advocacy, among many other honors.

In addition to being a leading advocate for nature, Greg was a river guide for Big Muddy Adventures and served on the board of the Mississippi River Water Trail Association. He created the Missouri River River Trail Association, contributed to an online resource published by MoDNR, was a member of the St. Louis Water Trails, and was a lifelong paddler.

Locally, Greg co-founded Greenway Network and proudly shared that it is Stream Team 463. To promote the importance of rivers and the Missouri Stream Team Program, he organized the Big Muddy Speaker Series in St. Charles, the annual River Soundings Symposium, the Pedal Paddle Series, and the Confluence Conservation Crew.

Often, the people who make the biggest difference are the most humble. They laugh about their failures, which are usually great successes, and they work well with others, always giving credit to those around them.

Please join us on Monday, January 19, at the Greg Poleski Memorial and MLK Day of Service Clean-up to help continue Greg’s mission to conserve natural resources and protect watersheds.

Please register today: https://greenwaynetwork.org/event/gregpoleski-mlk-cleanup-2025/

Pic by Laura M.

08/26/2025

Thanks to all the racers who came out for this year's Race For the Rivers! Here are a few photos of some of the medal winners. Be sure to tag yourself, and if you have your own shots, post them up and tag Race for the Rivers!

08/22/2025

Hey racers! You should have received an email this afternoon with all of the important race-day details and start times. If you missed it, here are some links to check out...

30-Mile Launch Info: https://mailchi.mp/e1e016b0ded5/join-us-for-race-for-the-rivers-this-august-21063638

20-Mile Launch Info: https://mailchi.mp/70e53b8c8082/join-us-for-race-for-the-rivers-this-august-21063637

See you on the river!

Race for the Rivers is an annual fundraising event promoting clean water education, restoration, and recreation in support of the Greenway Network's clean water initiatives.

08/21/2025

This year's pledge leader prize is a basket of amazing Mead Hall & Swarm Brewing beverages including at bottle of their Barrel Aged Mead.

The prize goes to the team that raises the most money above the minimum pledge needed for their race and class.

All the funds raised go to support the clean water work done by Greenway Network things like the Dumpster Fund, Mission: Clean Stream/GM Earth Day, Dardenne Days Stream Monitoring, River Soundings and the St Charles Big Muddy Speaker Series

Share your team link with family and friends. Anyone can contribute and every penny is greatly appreciated.

Mead Hall

08/18/2025

Registration closes at 5pm.

Be sure to follow the link on the registration page and fill out the electronic waiver.... ain't we gettin' fancy!

Send a message to learn more

08/17/2025

We have streamlined our waiver process. You can fill it out on-line and don't need to send us an image of the printed paper copy. You can access the form at the link below. Please fill it out by Monday evening 5pm along with your minimum pledge.

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/17/2025

This is shaping up to be one of our biggest races ever. You still have until 5 pm Monday to get in on the fun.

http://racefortherivers.org

08/14/2025

The Registration deadline for the 19th Annual Race for the Rivers is MONDAY at 5pm.

Pledges will be updated over the weekend. We do have some great pledge leader prizes again this year for teams that raise the most money over and above the minimum pledge. If you look at the roster page you will see a button specifically for your team. You can share that link with family, friends, co-workers, acquaintance, random people you meet on the street or internet... All of their pledges will count!

And the money raised... well it supports the efforts of Greenway Network. Last week we received a request on THURSDAY to provide a dumpster for a clean up happening on FRIDAY. We were able to make it happen but it cost almost $700. But that meant that 40 yards of invasive species were removed from a habitat and properly disposed of. As an all volunteer organization with nothing more than a storage locker, a cell phone and an insurance bill, you can rest assured that the money you raise during this event works hard to keep our rivers and streams clean for everyone.

07/20/2025

Less than 5 weeks away! Are YOU registered for our race on Saturday, August 23rd? Race for the Rivers is Greenway Network's primary fundraiser, from which 100% of the funds raised support education, outreach, and conservation efforts throughout the year. Choose 20 or 30 miles, both finishing at Blanchette Landing in Saint Charles' Historic Frenchtown District.

07/10/2025

We're at the MR340 finish line waiting for the first racers - congrats to all heading this way!

05/25/2025

Send a message to learn more

05/08/2025

It's Give STL Day! Race for the Rivers benefits Greenway Network and we'd appreciate your support today, especially during Power Hours when $20,000 prize pools will be applied equally to every donation made within the hour: 9-10AM, noon-1PM, 3-4PM, 6-7PM, and 9-10PM. Thank you for helping to conserve natural resources and encourage sound management of our watersheds!