Canoe Marathon July 24 - 25
The AuSable River Canoe Marathon has been an annual event now for 57 years. For one short 18 hour period, the race totally consumes the participants, inhabitants and spectators like few other events. Certainly, the start of this race is the most spectacular in canoe racing and is witnessed by the largest number of spectators of all Northern Michigan events.
At any time of year you may see racers in their slim C-2 canoes practicing for this granddaddy of all canoe races. But this unique river also offers year round pleasure to those seeking the solitude and serenity of one of the most beautiful free flowing rivers in the United States. "THE" river fits the cliche "It is many things to many people" and we thought the visitors to our site would enjoy reading what authors have had to say about the delights of the AuSable River.
The 45th AuSable River Canoe Marathon or how eight Texans met the real canoe racers!
Paddle Like a Girl: Women of the Marathon by Margery Guest. They call it the toughest spectator sport on any river. And that's just for spectators.
My First Experience of the AuSable Canoe Marathon
(the world's toughest spectator race!) by Jeff Potter, editor of 'Out Your Backdoor' magazine.
Kayaking and Camping from Grayling to Oscoda by Arturs Graube. Non racers paddle and document the Marathon course in May of 2001.
Of Time and the River by Margery Guest. The beginning of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.
Introduction to "The First 50 Years" by Jon Thompson & Nancy Lemmen, the Marathon challenge.
Feeding the Soul by Margery Guest. Women take to the river for a renewing of the soul.