Less than 150 miles separate Lake Norman in North Carolina from Lake Murray in South Carolina. That means you could run your boat on both lakes in on the same weekend—or even the same day—without much trailering.
But why would you do that when there are back-to-back events involving both waterways on the near horizon?
The Dam Boat Run is set for May 29-30 on Lake Murray. The Binks Memorial Fun Run For Addiction Awareness happens the following weekend on Lake Norman.
Registration for both events is still open.
Organized by Bret Laso and his wife, Alli, the Lake Murray event attracted 116 registered powerboat owners and their guests in 2025. Devin Wozencraft, who ran his 34-foot Victory catamaran, was among the first-time participants.
“I really loved it,” the well-known marine insurance and finance man said after the run. “The people are so nice—the Southern hospitality was on point—and the lake is huge.”
Heading into its fourth year, the Binks Fun Run For Addiction Awareness was founded by Lake Norman local Kurt Binkley. The dedicated organizer started the event to celebrate the memory of his 23-year-old Travis “Binks” Binkley, who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2019, and raise money for Statesville, N.C.-based Restoration Road Ministry.
Like Wozencraft with the Lake Murray affair, Indiana’s Kiran Pinisetti tackled the Binks event for the first time in 2025. Pinisetti ran the DCB Performance Marine M37R catamaran he co-owns with Kelly O’Hara of Upstate New York.
“It was a great time—for a great cause—with an intimate group of boaters who are like family,” said Pinisetti, who was joined by Rock The River Cincy event organizing team-member Patrick Feldhaus, following Lake Norman experience.
Two for the road, why not? There’s not much blacktop between the Lake Murray and Lake Norman, and both affairs continue to draw great reviews.