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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grayling, Michigan * July 20, 2001

 

 

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

 

Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon Attracts Top Paddlers & Dedicated Fans

 

The Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is North America’s richest and most popular canoe race…among its fans.  This race is not for the timid.  “THE MARATHON” has long been recognized as one of the most grueling endurance events in North America – the pace set and maintained by the competitors is beyond the comprehension of many – 55 to 80 paddle strokes per minute throughout the 14 to 19 hours it takes to reach the finish.

 

The Marathon’s famous frenzied LeMans-style running start by the two-person teams with their canoes to the river 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 28, more than 60 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 Canoeing, 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 55 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 Crystal Filley, Chairperson of the all-volunteer non-profit organizing committee that stages the race.  Few would dispute her 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 likely be battling relatively low water conditions.  Conditions have been dry throughout the Northern Michigan during the past several weeks and, though the AuSable is one of the most stable rivers in North America, stream levels have been dropping steadily.  The high-tech carbon-fiber canoes used in marathon canoe racing can be damaged by running over rocks or logs in the narrow, twisting, upper section of the AuSable that the teams paddle through 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, 44, a 14-time AuSable winner, set the mark with Saskatchewan’s Solomon Carriere in 1994.  Corbin is teamed with a local favorite, Jeff Kolka, 42, of Grayling, Michigan, as the pair attempts an unbelievable and unprecedented sixth consecutive victory on the tough AuSable course.   Kolka & Corbin respect their opponents’ strengths, but remain quietly confident.  “My partner has been the best marathon canoe racer in North America for more than 20 years,” commented Kolka.  “I know that we will be prepared for the challenge….and this IS my home turf.  We are pleased with our accomplishments over the past five years at this race and don’t want to give up that winning feeling,” he continued.

 

Not only have the powerful Kolka-Corbin duo been on a roll at the Weyerhaeuser AuSable Marathon, last year they also won New York’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta and Quebec’s La Classique de Canots en-route to a three-victory sweep of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing.  The pair picked up this year right where they left off in 2000, taking a 35 second victory [7 hours, 48 minutes, 31 seconds] at the New York race Memorial Day weekend over Al Rudquist, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and his partner Tim Triebold, of Spring Harbor, Michigan. 

 

Quebec’s Corbin has won or shared [with his partner] the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing championship every year since its inception 1992.  He has clearly been the preeminent marathon canoe racer in North America for more than 20 years.  His record is astounding, rising above the level achieved by dominant athletes in other sports.  During his 23 years in marathon canoe racing, with a variety of partners, Serge Corbin has won 90% of the major canoe races he has entered!

 

That is not to say that the other AuSable Marathon competitors are conceding victory to Kolka & Corbin.  There is an extremely competitive field entered and there will be a pitched battle for the top five positions.  Seasoned race observers are even having a tough time making picks for the top ten finishers. 

 

Among those expected to challenge the five-time consecutive champs are:

·         John Sullivan, 31, of Grayling, Michigan and Louis Berthiaume, 42, of Berthiville, Quebec.  In 2000 the pair finished second to Kolka-Corbin in 15:02:32 [15 hours, 2 minutes, 32 seconds] 14:32 off the winners time [14:48:00]

·         The father-son duo of Ken Kolonich, 55, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan and Steve Kolonich, 29, of Lansing, Michigan.  The Kolonich’s have been consistent top-5 finishers and placed second in 1999.  Marathon canoe racing has been a family tradition for the Kolonich clan---Ken raced the AuSable Marathon with his dad Steve and now competes with his son Steve.

·         Bill Torongo, 39, of Roscommon, Michigan has multiple second-place AuSable Marathon finishes and will try to break into the winners’ circle with Steve Lajoie, 25, of Vaudreuil-Sur-Le-Lac, Quebec.

·         Tony Short, 37, of Indian River, Michigan likewise has a number of second place finishes in the AuSable Race to his credit.  He is paddling with Denis Berthiaume, 36, of Pre’vost, Quebec.  Denis is Louis Berthiaume’s younger brother.

·         Bruce Barton, 44, of Homer, Michigan, a past Olympic team member and 2^nd place AuSable Marathon finisher, is teamed with Matt Rimer, 17, of Horton, Michigan.  Rimer has been tagged as the brightest rising star in Michigan marathon canoe racing by many race observers.

·         A hometown team with a family connection: Jim Harwood, 36, and Mo Harwood, Jr., 22, of Grayling.  Jim Harwood won the Marathon in 1995 with Patrick Lynch of Quebec, one of the few times that Serge Corbin did not win a race in which he was entered.  Mo Harwood has been tagged as an up and coming paddler with a lot of potential.  His best finish in the AuSable race is 15^th and the pair will make a run a top-five or better finish.

 

While many fans will focus on the battle for the top positions, there will be plenty of attention directed toward other teams as well. Many fans will be cheering on Al Widing Sr., 76, of Mio, Michigan and his partner [and son] Al Widing, Jr., 49, of Fenton, Michigan.  Widing, Sr., known among marathon canoe racing fans as “Amazing Al,” started racing the Marathon in 1955 and has competed in the race in 6 decades.  He will likely be adding to his long list of AuSable Marathon accomplishments. He has entered [30 times], finished more Marathons than anyone and finished as high as 2nd three times.  The veteran sets a steady pace throughout the 120 mile race and admits that it is “kind of fun” to pass younger competitors later in the race as their energy levels and endurance begin to ebb.

 

Among the nine mixed teams entered are Frank Smutek, 67, of Luzerne, Michigan and Amy Solak, 36, of Traverse City, Michigan, who last year became the first father-daughter team to finish the Marathon [17:32:49, 39^th place].  Tom Cannon, 45, and wife Connie Cannon, 40, of East Lansing, Michigan are teamed together for the Marathon.  Peter Heed, 51, and wife Tricia Heed, 49, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, are also entered…but are not paddling together.  Peter Heed is teamed with Jim Bauer, 56, of Spokane, Washington and Tricia with Tom Warner, 53, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire.  Tricia Heed decided to try competing in the Marathon last year after having been a “feeder” [member of the support crew] for husband Peter for several years.  She thought that it might actually be easier to compete in the race than to be a feeder.  She is back this year as a competitor commenting, “My theory was correct.”

 

Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon competitive action kicks off with the Sprints for Position at Penrods Resort in Grayling on Thursday and Friday afternoon, July 26-27.  The sprints are much like “Indy 500” pole-position qualifying: Each team paddles a short looped course, their lap time determines their starting row position for the spine-tingling LeMans style run to the river that starts the Marathon on Saturday night.

 

The Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is held in conjunction with Grayling's "AuSable River Festival" and Oscoda’s “AuSable River Days”, featuring a host of events throughout Marathon week.  The celebrations recognize the unique importance of the AuSable River to these northern Michigan communities.   For more information about the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon and festivals, or for information about tourism and recreational opportunities in the AuSable River valley area, contact:

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

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

 

Extensive information, photographs, course maps and frequently updated race results for the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is\will also available on the world-wide web at:  http://www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

 

The American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctions the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon.  The ACA’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

 

 

     Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon  * Entry List as of 7/20/01

 

           

 

#	Competitor	Age	City	State/Province
0	Robert  Bradford	58	Lapeer	Michigan
0	Fred Rayman	52	Ely	Minnesota
2	Jim Harwood	36	Grayling	Michigan
2	Mo Harwood	22	Grayling	Michigan
4	Bruce Barton	44	Homer	Michigan
4	Matthew Rimer	17	Horton	Michigan
6	Al Duckworth	46	Kalamazoo	Michigan
6	Doug VanMeter	32	Homer	Michigan
8	Nicholas D'Amour	17	Grayling	Michigan
8	Pete Mead	20	Grayling	Michigan
9	Al Widing Sr.	76	Mio	Michigan
9	Al Widing Jr	49	Fenton	Michigan
10	Tom Cannon	45	East Lansing	Michigan
10	Connie Cannon	40	East Lansing	Michigan
12	Tad Hill	23	East Lansing	Michigan
12	Dave Jensen	37	San Jose	California
14	Steve Lajoie	25	Vaudreuil-Sur-Le-Lac	Quebec
14	Bill Torongo	39	Roscommon	Michigan
16	Jeff Kolka	42	Grayling	Michigan
16	Serge Corbin	44	St. Boniface	Quebec
17	Dan Cruser	49	Crosby	Minnesota
17	Devin Arenz	23	Cass Lake	Minnesota
19	Doug Howard	40	Townshend	Vermont
19	Lisa Salvini	37	Montgomery	Massachusetts
21	Dale Bissonnette	29	Hale	Michigan
21	Mike McKulsky	31	Hale	Michigan
22	Kevin LeRoy	33	Fitchburg	Wisconsin
22	Neil Hanks	42	Mequon	Wisconsin
23	Ken Kolonich	55	Eaton Rapids	Michigan
23	Steve Kolonich	29	Lansing	Michigan
24	Allan MacGregor	47