2000 AuSable River
Canoe Marathon
Press & Media Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAYLING, MICHIGAN

JULY 21, 2000        

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

KATE SOUTHARD or STEVE SOUTHARD

RACE OFFICE (517) 348-4425

CELL PHONE W/ VOICEMAIL (517) 370-9843 FAX (517)348-5966

 

 

Up to 50,000 Fans Expected For North America’s Toughest, Richest Canoe Race

 

Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon Anchors A Host of Activities in Grayling & Oscoda

 

Important Safety Notices * Helpful Suggestions for Viewing the Race * Schedule of Events

 

The Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is not for the timid.  The Marathon’s famous frenzied LeMans-style running start kicks off a race of fourteen to nineteen hours & 120 miles non-stop through the night from Grayling, in north central Michigan, to Oscoda, on the shores of Lake Huron.   “The running start of the race, with thousands of fans lining the riverbanks and cheering, really gets your adrenaline pumping; it’s a real charge!  But, endurance and pacing always win in the end,” commented one long time race observer.  “Those that ‘jackrabbit’ and go hard early in the race burn out.  They don’t have what it takes to reach Oscoda and the finish line,” he continued.  While the race is certainly daunting to the competitors, these comments were made about AuSable Marathon spectators and fans.

 

At the sound of the starter’s pistol at 9:00 P.M. Saturday night, July 29, more than 65 two-person teams will run with their canoes several blocks through the streets of the Grayling to the AuSable River in front of Ray’s Canoe Livery, beginning North America’s toughest, richest non-stop canoe race.   Excitement is at a fevered pitch among the participants and fans alike during the frenzied start of the race, which has been described as the most intense two minutes in competitive sports.  A total of perhaps 50,000 fans or more will cheer on the gritty Marathon canoe racing competitors at various points throughout the race.  The heartiest fans drive the full length of the AuSable River course from Grayling to Oscoda, moving from one viewing location to the next at public landings, bridges and hydroelectric dam portages to cheer on their favorite teams.

 

Staged since 1947, the AuSable Marathon was an ultra-endurance event long before ultra-endurance became “cool.”  The two-person teams must portage six hydroelectric dams plus battle the darkness, the river’s natural obstructions, the weather and the sheer exhaustion brought on by paddling their lightweight hi-tech kevlar or carbon-fiber canoes at a torrid pace of 50 to 80 strokes per minute non-stop throughout the 14 to 19 hour race.  They receive no assistance except food, drink and, perhaps, a dry shirt passed to them by their “feeders” or “bankrunners” at points along the course.

 

“Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon fans are treated to the highest level of marathon canoe racing competition in North America,” according to Joe Wakeley, a long-time member of the all-volunteer non-profit organizing committee that stages the race.  Few would dispute his assessment; it is extremely tough to break into the Marathon’s top 10.  The already daunting task is even tougher for teams from outside the AuSable River region who must paddle the unfamiliar twisting upper course through the night. 

 

This year the teams will also be battling relatively low water conditions throughout the length of the AuSable and there will be no moonlight to aid them during the overnight portion of the race.  There seems to be little chance that the Marathon’s all-time record of 13:58:08 (13 hours, 58 minutes, 8 seconds) is in jeopardy of being broken this year.  Quebec’s Serge Corbin, 43, a 13-time AuSable winner, set the mark with Saskatchewan’s Solomon Carriere in 1994.  Corbin is teamed with a local favorite, Jeff Kolka, 41, of Grayling, Michigan, as the pair attempts an unprecedented fifth consecutive victory on the tough AuSable course.   Kolka & Corbin respect their opponents’ strengths, but remain quietly confident. “Neither of us wants to lose.  We don’t work hard for nothing,” commented Corbin.

 

There is a full schedule of events on tap during the week leading up to the Marathon and into race weekend both in Grayling, where the Marathon will start on Saturday night, July 29, & also in Oscoda, where the lead team will cross the finish line around 11:00 A.M. on Sunday, July 30.   Festivities in Grayling include: An arts & crafts fair, the AuSable River 10k Run, a classic car show, a chicken BBQ, a street dance Saturday night, youth canoe races, a youth fishing contest, the renowned AuSable River Festival Parade at 3:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon and more!  A Marathon Tent Party, including entertainment, food and refreshments is planned Friday-Saturday-Sunday at the finish line in Oscoda. For more information about AuSable Festival activities in Grayling & Oscoda, contact:    

                Grayling Area Visitors Council  (517) 348-2921  (800) 937-8837       www.grayling-mi.com

              Oscoda-AuSable Chamber of Commerce (517) 739-7322   (800) 235-4625     www.oscoda.com

 

The racing action gets underway at Penrod's Resort [Maple Street Bridge in Grayling] with the AuSable Marathon Sprints for Position Thursday, July 27, from 5:00 to 8:30 P.M. and Friday, July 28, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M.  The Sprints are much like "Indy 500" qualifying: Each team paddles a short looped course, their lap time determines their starting row position for the LeMans style run to the river on Saturday.  The Official Canoe Measuring and Pre-Race Contestants’ Briefing takes place on the lawn at Citizens Bank in uptown Grayling from noon to 3 P.M. on Saturday, July 29.

 

The AuSable Marathon pre-race program at Ray’s Canoe Livery, on the I-75 Business Loop in Grayling, will start at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 29.  More than 65 teams are expected to line up for start of the $50,000 Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon at 9:00 PM.  The winning team is expected to reach the finish line in Oscoda, at the Mill Street Bridge near U.S. 23, at about 11 AM Sunday, July 30. 

 

Thousands of spectators will travel to one or more viewing points (bridges, public access points, road ends or dam portages) to cheer on the paddlers.   Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon spectator guides are available in both the Grayling & Oscoda area during race week; they contain maps, viewing hints, entry lists, contestant biographical sketches and much more.  Some hints for those who may travel to one or more locations along the course to cheer on the paddlers:

ü      You don’t have to rush!  The race is 14 to 18 hours long.  Take the time to wait and cheer on the teams battling for positions back in the pack; you can always catch up to the front of the pack to check on the lead teams.

ü      To avoid traffic congestion at the viewing locations, plan to arrive early.  It is best to arrive 45 to 90 minutes ahead of the estimated times posted for the leading teams’ arrival.  Stay at each viewing location until many of the teams have passed through and most of the crowd of spectators has moved on.

ü      Don’t forget the essentials for a long (overnight) outing: snacks, thermos of coffee, flashlight, binoculars, warm clothes, blanket, rainwear, hat, sunglasses & good area maps.

ü      Regular race updates are carried by several northern Michigan radio stations, Weyerhaeuser AuSable Marathon Official Media Sponsors including:  Gannon Broadcasting WGRY 100.3/WQON 101.1; WCLS 100.7; WHST 106.1; WUPS 98.5

 

The AuSable Marathon Organizing Committee emphasizes the following safety & logistical considerations for all race fans:

·         Due to construction the Mio Dam & spillway will be closed to spectators

·         In Crawford County- Stephan, Wakeley and McMaster’s bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic during the race

·         Oscoda County – Paramalee Bridge will be closed to spectators and open to vehicle traffic, only.  If you are viewing the race from this location there are good sites along the campground on the north side or the public access site on the south. 

·         4001 Bridge -- U.S. Forest Service may be issuing tickets for parking in the lot at the boat launch site.

·         Alcona Dam – only feeders and officials will be allowed into the portage area parking lot.  Spectators should park in the field in the north side of the river and walk across the bridge to the portage.

·         Loud Dam – There will be parking for spectators only on one side of the road leading into the dam.  This will make it safer for people who are walking to view the portage.  Only feeders and officials will be allowed into the parking lot.

 

For a number of years, Subaru has been a strong supporter of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon and of paddlesports in the United States.  The American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctions the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon.  The Ace’s mission is to promote canoeing, kayaking and other paddle sports as safe and enjoyable lifetime recreational activities, while working to protect and preserve the recreational waterways on which those activities depend.   For more information about ACA, contact the national office at:               American Canoe Association;  7432 Alban Station Blvd, Suite B-226; Springfield, VA   22150

                                phone:  (703) 451-0141     www.acanet.org

 

Extensive information including entry lists, photographs and frequently updated race results for the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is\will be available on the world-wide web at:             http://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org