Hall of Fame

To those who have participated in whatever form and to whatever degree a heartfelt thank you is given. To those who have exceeded others, whether by paddling or supporting, a special honor will be bestowed in the form of recognition by a committee of persons chosen to be enshrined in the Marathon Hall of Fame.

Since the Marathon’s inception in 1947, it has been the source of hundreds of unwritten stories about courage, perseverance, determination, dedication, and pride. In 2006, the Marathon Hall of Fame was established to recognize those who excelled in paddling or made significant contributions in supporting the race. Each year, the ARICM identifies individuals and/or groups to be inducted. You can read about each of their amazing achievements below.

Class of 2006

Marilyn Wagner

Marilyn was the first female competitor and first female to finish the Marathon (Amateur – August 3, 1968).

Class of 2006

Jay Stephan, Sr.

Jay paddled the very first Marathon in 1947. He was in five more and finished first in 1950, 1951, and 1952.

Class of 2007

Hugh Bissonette

Hugh paddled in the first Marathon 1947. He was the Marathon champion 1948 and 1949, setting Marathon records both years. He is a Thomas P. Marston Memorial recipient.

Class of 2007

Bernie Fowler

Bernie paddled in the first ten Marathons.  Marathon Champion in 1953, 1954, and 1955.  He was the first Iron Paddler Award recipient.  Was inducted in the International Paddler Hall of Fame in July 1986.

Class of 2008

Butch Stockton

Butch was the Marathon champion 1982 through 1986. He assists current paddlers with repairs to their canoes.

Class of 2008

Harry Curley

Harry never paddled in the Marathon but was known for his promotion of canoe racing and making the AuSable River Canoe Marathon what it is today.  The Michigan Legislature named him “Mr. AuSable Canoe Race” in 1973.

Class of 2009

Ralph Sawyer

Ralph was the Marathon Champion in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, and 1968. He had his first Marathon finish in 1953 at age sixteen, and finished second.

Class of 2009

Al Widing, Sr.

Al paddled in 41 Marathons with 33 official finishes. He was the first person to finish 20 Marathons, and 11 years later the first to finish 30 Marathons. He competed in every race from 1987 to 2009. He made his 41st and final Marathon start in 2014

Class of 2010

Oscoda-AuSable Township Fire Department Water Rescue

This group covered everything from staging the race to raising funds and providing safety. They have been part of the race since its inception and continue to contribute.

Class of 2010

Frank & Peggy Smutek

Frank has the longest career in Marathon history – 58 years and counting. He competed in his first Marathon in 1952 at age 18. Peggy contributes time and resources including three generations of family. They exemplify generosity and sportsmanship.

Class of 2011

Stan Hall

Stan knew he was going to be a paddler when he saw the racers finish in 1947. He entered 11 Marathons and finished 7. He was the champion in 1967 and 1968.

Class of 2011

John B. Cook

Through diligent and scrupulous record-keeping John has recorded the history of the Marathon for all who love the race.  He was the Marathon record keeper from 1975 until he stepped down in 2011.

Class of 2012

"Big" John Baker

John’s accomplishments are as big as his personality. He is a four-time champion and a five-time runner up. John is a mentor and an inspiration to the paddling world.

Class of 2012

Ed Wojahn

Ed has watched the Marathon since 1948 and still gets butterflies at the start, sharing “The race is one of the most exciting events in North America”. Ed loves to follow down river with fellow paddlers. He was champion in 1960.

Class of 2013

Bruce Myles

Bruce is an Oscoda businessman who has been involved with the Marathon for decades. He recorded the history of the race through photography and has contributed to the continued success of the race.

Class of 2013

Serge Corbin

Serge is the most successful paddler in AuSable River history. He is an 18-time Champion and set the course record of 13:58:08 in 1994.

Class of 2014

Lynne Witte

Lynne is an inspiration for all women paddlers. She has competed in 40 Marathons, earning her Triple Iron Paddler Award in 2015 at age 61. She was the first woman to earn the Iron Paddler Award (1993). Lynne holds the Mixed Division record (1988; 4th Place; 15:05:26), and she had paddled consecutively since 1980.

Class of 2014

Jack Kolka

Jack had 13 consecutive finishes (1964-1977). He entered the race 22 times and finished 18. He earned the Iron Paddler Award in 1972. Jack has mentored many young paddlers who later became Marathon Champions, including his son, Jeff Kolka.

Class of 2015

Larry Kindell

Larry has finished 6 Marathons, all in the top three places, with 2 firsts, paddling with Steven Kolonich 1958 and his brother Victor Kindell 1961. He ranks 35th in the top 50 Official Marathon Career points.

Class of 2015

Larry Roberts

Larry has been “The Voice of the Marathon” for over 20 years. His familiar voice continues to pump up the fans with his series of Marathon minutes and live radio broadcasts of the entire Marathon event.

Class of 2016

Howard Brubaker

Howard was instrumental in starting the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. He and Percy Jocks paddled from Graying to Oscoda in three days to prove the race was possible. Howard was chairman and sponsored teams for ten years.

Class of 2016

Réjean Huard

Réjean entered 11 and finished 3 Marathons. He served as an ambassador of the sport by playing a vital role in establishing the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. He was a mentor to many young paddlers from Canada and the USA. It was his passion for paddling that made him loved and respected by many.

Class of 2017

Jerry & Jeff Kellogg

Jerry & Jeff, sons of Elmer Kellogg, who raced in the first AuSable Marathon, developed a passion for paddling at a very young age. Jerry & Jeff won many races in the ’60’s and ’70’s together and with other paddlers, but they were at their best together, winning the Marathon in ’74 & ’75.

Class of 2017

The Gary Family

Few families have been as involved with the Marathon as the Gary family. Their family business is a long-time sponsor. Four members of the family, Dan, Matt, Deborah, and Vance, have raced the Marathon. Melissa served on the race committee, as well as Mary Ann as Chairperson.

Class of 2018

Bruce Barton

Bruce began paddling in 1969. He has 17 Marathon finishes, including 11 top 10 finishes and 7 top 5 finishes. Bruce continues to paddle because he loves the challenge and being a mentor to new paddlers. Bruce earned his Iron Paddler Award in 2003.

Class of 2018

Solomon Carrière

Solomon “Sol” is a three-time Marathon champion in ’84, ’93, and ’94. Solomon holds the course record of 13:58:08, set in 1994. He is an Iron Paddler recipient with 11 career pro finishes and 9 of which were top 10 races.

Class of 2019

Jeff Kolka

Jeff is considered one of the legends of canoe racing. Jeff has had 21 Marathon starts and 21 finishes, 20 top 5 finishes, and 9 wins. He received his Iron Paddler (10 pro finishes) in 1994 and Steel Paddler (20 pro finishes) in 2004. Jeff holds several Pro and Masters division time records.

Class of 2019

Joe Wakeley

Joe has been on the Marathon committee for over 30 years, doing everything he can to help the paddlers and their families, including loaning his year for parking and boat prep. Along with Steve Southard and Phil Weiler, Joe helped form the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing.

Class of 2021

Irvin "Buzz" & Steve Peterson

Father and son team, and 1971 Marathon Champions.  Both men loved the camaraderie and friendships found in the sport, and enjoy making it a family engagement.  Buzz totaled 4 wins and earned his Iron Paddler Award in 1971.

Class of 2021

Steven Kolonich

Patriarch of the Kolonich paddling legacy and 1958 Marathon Champion.  He has 13 Marathon finishes, and all 13 were in the Top Ten.  Steven earned his Iron Paddler Award in 1961 at the age of 41.

Class of 2022

Rick Joy

Rick is a 34 time finisher of the Marathon.  He holds the record for the most top 10 finishes with 26.  He earned his Titanium Paddler Award in 2009, and his best time is 14:10:25.

Class of 2022

Don Feldhauser

Don’s Marathon career consisted of all top 5 finishes, including three where he and his partner finished in first place.  Don is also in the International Canoe Racing Hall of Fame.

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