>   NEWS RELEASE   <       For More Information, Contact:                                             

   North America’s Toughest,               Steve Southard

Richest Non-Stop Canoe Race!             Cell w/voice  mail – 989-657-2479

      Grayling  to Oscoda, Michigan                        Kate Southard

                 Since 1947                                              Cell w/voice mail – 989-657-1234

   * $50,000 Purse  **  50,000 Fans *                    Race Office

Over 50,000 Paddle Strokes  Non-Stop                   Phone – 989-348-4425 Fx 989-348-6825

>   NEWS RELEASE   <    aricmmedia@i2k.net * AuSableCanoeMarathon.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7/26/01 * Grayling, Michigan

 

 

 

 

ANTICIPATION BUILDS FOR $50,000 WEYERHAEUSER AuSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON

 

RACING ACTION GETS UNDERWAY WITH INDY-STYLE “SPRINTS FOR POSITION” THURSDAY & FRIDAY AFTERNOON - NORTH AMERICA’S TOUGHEST, RICHEST CANOE RACES STARTS @ 9 PM SATURDAY NIGHT

 

 

 

The excitement is building throughout Northern Michigan as the clock ticks toward the start of North America's richest, toughest non-stop marathon canoe race - the $50,000 Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon.  An estimated 50,000 fans and many of the top marathon canoe racing teams from throughout Canada and the U.S., have already arrived or are en-route to northern Michigan's fabled AuSable River Valley for the 54th running of this granddaddy of ultra-endurance events.  The AuSable River, long recognized as one of North America’s finest recreational canoeing and trout fishing streams, will be the scene of intense competition throughout the balance of “Marathon week”.

 

Over 60 two-person teams are registered to participate in the Marathon.  Lower than normal water levels throughout the 120-mile length of the AuSable River course will likely lead to slower times during the race. The darkness, any inclement weather, portaging six hydroelectric dams and the sheer torture of up to 19 hours of non-stop paddling at 50 to 80 paddle strokes per minute will all combine to play on the contestants' physical and mental capabilities.

 

Defending five-time Marathon Champs, Jeff Kolka, 42, of Grayling, Michigan, and Serge Corbin, 44, of St. Boniface, Quebec, will be gunning for an unprecedented sixth consecutive victory at the AuSable Marathon, the middle jewel of the prestigious Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. 

 

The $50,000 Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon starts with the teams making a spine-tingling LeMans-style run several blocks through the streets of Grayling to the river at Ray's Canoeing at 9:00 P.M., Saturday, July 28.  The pre-race program begins at 5:30 P.M. at Ray’s. Thousands of fans will view all or part of the race, driving to public access sites, bridges, dam portages and other viewing locations along the AuSable River race course to cheer on the teams through Saturday night and on to the finish line in Oscoda between 11 A.M. and noon on Sunday, July 29.

 

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 Festivals 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 are available on the world-wide web at:  http://www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

# # # #

>   NEWS RELEASE   <       For More Information, Contact:                                             

   North America’s Toughest,               Steve Southard

Richest Non-Stop Canoe Race!             Cell w/voice  mail – 989-657-2479

      Grayling  to Oscoda, Michigan                        Kate Southard

                 Since 1947                                              Cell w/voice mail – 989-657-1234

   * $50,000 Purse  **  50,000 Fans *                    Race Office

    Over 50,000 Paddle Strokes  Non-Stop               Phone – 989-348-4425 Fx 348-6825

>   NEWS RELEASE   <  aricmmedia@i2k.net * AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

 

 

 

ü      Al Widing, Sr., 76, Mio, Michigan – Has raced the AuSable Marathon in 6 decades; was a top paddler in 50’s & 60’s, finishing 2^nd 5 times.  Even at 76, Al is on the same par as other paddlers half his age.  In 2000, Al he finished 28^th out of 51 teams. Al’s partner this year is his son, Al Widing, Jr., 49, of Fenton, Michigan.

ü      Serge Corbin, 44, St. Boniface Quebec – Has dominated the sport for over 20 years; won nearly 90% of major races he has entered; He has also won the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing nine years in a row. His partner this year is:

ü      Jeff Kolka, 42, Grayling, Michigan.  Together Kolka and Corbin are looking for an unprecedented 6^th consecutive AuSable victory; Jeff’s father, Jack, competed in the AuSable Marathon many times, finishing 2^nd a number of times;

ü      Bill Torongo, 39, Roscommon, Torongo has several AuSable 2^nd place finishes under his belt, several with Jeff Kolka. His partner is Steve Lajoie, 25, of Vaudreuil-Sur-Le-Lac, Quebec.

ü      Rejean Huard, 59, of Shawinigan, Quebec.  Huard is the Executive Director of La Classique de Canots, the third leg of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. His partner is Gareth Stevens, 49, of Hubertus, Wisconsin.

 

WOMEN AND THE MARATHON: Among 1 women’s team and 8 mixed teams entered in this year’s Marathon:

ü      Carrie (Trudgeon) Montgomery, 31, Oscoda, Michigan – this will be Carrie’s 11^th AuSable Marathon.  She holds every Marathon women’s division split times record and  women’s record of 15:26:14 [1994 with Connie Cannon.]  Carrie’s partner this year is a Marathon rookie, Carrie’s niece, Mandy Trudgeon 20, of Grayling, Michigan. 

ü      Lynne Witte, 46, Mt. Clemens, Michigan – this will be Lynne’s 21^st AuSable Marathon, she has completed 19; she holds the Marathon mixed-team record of 15:05:26, set with Jim Myers in 1988 – a fourth place finish, also the best ever by a woman.  Lynne’s partner is David Sabin, 22 of Grayling,a Michigan State University student .

 

FAMILY TIES AND THE MARATHON:  Family ties have always played a major role in the AuSable Canoe Marathon.  Some examples of the strong influence of family relationships in this year’s AuSable Canoe Marathon include:

ü      Ken Kolonich, 56, Eaton Rapids, Michigan & Steve Kolonich, 29, Lansing, Michigan – A father & son team who are top five finishers at the Marathon. Ken paddled the Marathon with HIS father, Steve.

ü      Frank Smutek, 67, of Luzerne, Michigan is entered with his daughter, Amy Solak, 36, of Traverse City, Michigan.  Frank, who first paddled the race in 1952, raced with son Ted in 1998.  Ted is also entered in this year’s Marathon.

ü      Ray Wonders, 40, of Anchorage, Alaska, grew up in the Grayling area and is entered with brother-in-law Rick Sika, 38, of Traverse City, Michigan,the second Marathon for the pair.

ü      Brothers Denis and Louis Bertiaume of Quebec paddled together at the General Clinton Regatta in New York, finishing 3^rd in a field of 55 teams.  At the Marathon they will compete against each other AuSable Marathon veterans; Louis is teamed with John Sullivan and Denis with Tony Short.

ü      Bruce Barton, 45, Homer, Michigan a former Olympic team member who is entered this year with 17 year Matt Rimer, Horton, Michigan, comes from a VERY paddling family.  His sister Connie is entered with her husband Tom.  Bruce’s wife Roxanne has competed in the AuSable Marathon and his brother Greg was a double Olympic gold medal winner in kayaking. 

ü       Cousins Jim Harwood, 36, and Mo Harwood, 22, both of Grayling, Michigan are expected to take a run at a top-five finish this year.  Jim won the race in 1995 with partner Patrick Lynch.  Mo is paddling his 6^th Marathon and also holds the fastest amateur finish time of 15:30:46.