CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —

The Head of the Charles race is facing increased challenges this year due to construction on the Eliot Bridge, which affects the final stretch of the nearly three-mile course along the Charles River.

The Eliot Bridge is the last of six bridges on the course, and normally, there are three arches under it. However, this year, one of the arches is closed because of construction.

Although this arch is not typically part of the race course, some crews use it if they miscalculate the last turn or if too many boats are trying to pass under the bridge simultaneously.

This year, that option is unavailable.

"This year we've got a big bright orange buoy there. We've got another signal to let people know not to go through it. We'll probably see some crews slamming the brakes on

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