HOW TO ENTER THE AuSABLE CANOE MARATHON
We welcome those interested in entering the AuSable Canoe Marathon. We ask that you carefully read the following statement.
"The AuSable Canoe Marathon is one of the most physically and mentally demanding events in the world. To successfully complete this event you must have a C-2 racing canoe, be an expert canoeist, in excellent physical condition and able to navigate in darkness the upper eighty miles of the AuSable River while avoiding deadfalls, stumps and being lost in the vast impoundments upriver of the Mio and Alcona dams. Those unprepared for these conditions risk their own well-being and that of their partner."
We do not print these words to add drama but sincerely want paddlers to enter our race when prepared to have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you have never raced the Marathon you should assist with a Marathon feeding crew to understand a teams support requirements during the event and enter the Paddlers Tribute that is run on the upper parts of the Au Sable on the weekend before the Marathon. By competing in this event you can determine if you and your partner have the capability to make the Marathon cut-off times for Stephan Bridge (2 hours) and McMasters Bridge (4 hours). Additional cut-off times for the Marathon are set for Mio Dam (7 hours) and Five Channels Dam ( 14 hours).
NEW RULE FOR 2000
All participants MUST check-in at the Marathon race headquarters in the Grayling Mini Mall. For participants sprinting on Thursday, the check-in deadline is Thursday, July 27, at 3:00 PM. For Friday sprint participants, the check-in deadline is Friday, July 28, at 12:00 noon. Participants who fail to check-in by the deadline will be disqualified from competing in the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon and will forfeit their entry fee.
The Marathon office will be open for check-in as follows:
Friday, July 21 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM We will attempt to make special arrangements for Marathon check-in during the Tribute race weekend, July 22, and 23. Monday, July 24 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday, July 25 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Wednesday, July 26 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Thursday, July 27 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Deadline for Thursday Sprinters Friday, July 28 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Click here to read more about the challenge of this race, taken from "The First 50 Years" by Jon Thompson and Nancy Lemmen.
Paddlers Tribute and the MCRA races schedules are available from:
Michigan Canoe Racing Association
c/o Ms Lynne Witte
58 Union Street
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
Tel 810-783-5654Au Sable Canoe Marathon entries are available from:
AuSable River International Canoe Marathon
P.O. Box 911
Grayling, MI 49738or you may click HERE to request a 2000 Entry Form.
Note: Marathon entry cut-off and fee increases start June 16, 2000 and end noon July 24th, 2000 (no entries accepted after this time). See entry form for details.
Phone 517-348-2933, FAX 517-348-4425, E-Mail koppa@CompuServe.Com
Safe paddling.