The New York City Poker Run, set for Aug. 23, promises another exciting showcase of high-performance powerboats slicing through the waters around Manhattan’s iconic skyline. Organized by the National Powerboat Association (NPBA), this annual event draws enthusiasts from across the Northeast, including New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and beyond for a high-octane day of boating and camaraderie.

After an 11 a.m. driver's meeting at the Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Glen Cove, there will be a parade to the start as participants follow this year's official paceboat—a 47’ Azimut Verve with quad 450Rs, and she's fast! The poker run will take participants past landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, under the George Washington Bridge, and through the dramatic “Hell’s Gate,” where the Harlem and East Rivers meet. The card-pulling station opens at the Cove Restaurant at 12:45 p.m., and will close at 4 p.m. Each team must pick their cards by then. Upon returning to the  Glen Cove Restaurant, awards will be handed out (inlcuding Best Looking Crew, Best Looking Boat, Furthest Traveled) and trophies awarded, including the Guy Lamotta Trophy, Stu Hayim Trophy and John Caruso Trophy. The poker run winner will take home the coveted $5,000 cash prize. The NPBA has also brought back the King of the Cat and King of the Vee Bottom trophies for the first boats to the George Washington Bridge.

A key figure in the event’s resurgence is Billy Frenz of Frenzy Performance, the NPBA’s executive director, whose passion for powerboating has revitalized the rally into a major draw. Frenz, alongside his daughter Allison, has leveraged innovative marketing to boost participation, with 35 boats in 2023 and expectations of growth for 2025. The 2025 poker run also benefits from a new partnership with the Offshore Powerboat Association, offering discounts to OPA members and signaling a bright future for this vibrant celebration of powerboating culture.

To register, please click here.

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