Jim Merrill holds up his oar and cheers with Dave Mullenix as Austin Oberbillig films on his cellphone after the trio went down Rainbow Falls on a raft during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday. Those on hand Saturday said it was the 43rd Pe Ell River Run which, aptly, begins in the Chehalis River near Pe Ell and ends with a splash over Rainbow Falls. The unofficial event occurs each April.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A kayaker paddles out of the Chehalis River after going over Rainbow Falls during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Sam Ginn, right, and his son Kyler unstrap a boat from the roof of a van before the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Jim Merrill helps attendees launch into the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
From left, Dave Mullenix, Austin Oberbillig, and Jim Merrill make their way down the Chehalis River on a raft during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Kayakers use paddles as they make their way down the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Boats are emptied of water before being carried uphill from the Chehalis River near Rainbow Falls on Saturday during the Pe Ell River Run.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
A couple goes over Rainbow Falls during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Attendees launch into the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
From left, Dave Mullenix, Austin Oberbillig, and Jim Merrill make their way down the Chehalis River on a raft during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Attendees prepare to launch into the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Friends smile as they both end up in the Chehalis River after going over Rainbow Falls during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Attendees pose for a photo in front of the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Luke Waltrip stands up and looks to the Chehalis River as he prepares to go over Rainbow Falls during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Kevin Randol, the land owner, smiles as he talks about past river runs Saturday morning in Pe Ell.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Ashes of Terry ‘Klarantz’ Ware, one of the original river runners, were distibuted into the Chehalis River before the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Andria Butterton and Michael Aughe raise their paddles as they make their way down the Chehalis River during the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com
Attendees walk downhill with boats and dogs to the edge of the Chehalis River before the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday.
Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com