AuSable River Challenge 120
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026
Back for a fifth running in 2026, is the Consumers Energy AuSable River Challenge 120, also known as the “ARC120.”
Separate from the “main event” of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, the ARC120 is geared toward all types of recreational, touring, and racing watercraft, that are powered by a single or double bladed paddle.
The ARC120 is a full-length challenge of the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda. It is a good opportunity for paddlers of all skill levels to try the mighty AuSable in an organized event to test your abilities and see how you fare against the course.
The ARC 120 is a fundraiser for the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon C2 main event, and helps support our local emergency responders.
The ARC120 starts at Borchers AuSable Canoe and Kayak Rental in Grayling, and finishes at the AuSable Inn in Oscoda.
The event begins at 7:00 A.M. on Friday of Marathon Week and teams will have until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Saturday to complete the course (29 total hours).
If you’re interested in competing, please contact arc120@ausablecanoemarathon.org for details.
2026 AuSable River Challenge 120 Entries
| Entry Order | Craft # | Paddler(s) | Hometown | Paddlecraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C01 | Judy Stepanek | Kewadin, MI | V8 Surfski K-1 |
| 2 | Withdrawal | Michael Carson | Rainbow City, AL | SUP-1 |
| 3 | C03 | Russell Anderson | Ludington, MI | C-1 |
| 4 | C04 | Aaron Mead | Grayling, MI | C-1 |
| 5 | C05 | Kevin Couturier Nate Choate | East Tawas, MI Clio, MI | C-2 |
| 6 | C06 | Kevin Omilusik Gabe Janowiak | Grayling, MI Traverse City, MI | C-2 |
| 7 | C07 | Jason Sarsfield | Harrison, MI | C-1 |
| 8 | C08 | Justin Miller | Freeland, MI | C-1 |
| 9 | C09 | Mark Scherler Linh Hoang | Clarkston, MI Shelby Twp., MI | C-2 |
| 10 | C10 | Corey Weigold Kathleen Ravin Albert Carr | Grayling, MI Fort Collins, MI Kalkaska, MI | C-2 Relay |
| 11 | C11 | Cody Sapp Devin Sapp | Muskegon, MI Folsom, CA | C-2 |
| 12 | C12 | Joe White | Lorain, OH | C-1 |
| 13 | C13 | Rhys Challicombe Tony Challicombe | Byron Center, MI New South Wales, Australia | C-2 |
| 14 | C14 | Jeff Poland | Elkhart, IN | C-1 |
| 15 | C15 | Frank Taber Gene Taber Judy Taber Jill Taber Luke Decker Hunter Scott Rachel Sohn Ray Sohn | Grayling, MI Lake Odessa, MI Lake Odessa, MI Belmont, MI Rockford, MI Grand Rapids, MI Gowen, MI Gowen, MI | C-2 Relay |
| 16 | C16 | Tonya Rice Daniel Rice Logan Fulkerson | Grayling, MI Grayling, MI Mio, MI | C-2 Relay |
| 17 | C17 | Joe Schlimmer | Ithaca, NY | C-1 |
| 18 | C18 | Marina Cox Mason Cox James Cox Cameron Winn Matthew Dargay David Ryder Alec Ryder Anthony Nofs | Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo, MI Wyandotte, MI Clarkston, MI Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo, MI Port Huron, MI | C-2 Relay |
| 19 | C19 | Scott Carroll | Duluth, MN | C-1 |
| 20 | C20 | Scott Guthre, II | Dexter, MI | C-1 |