Thank You to Our Klondike Challenge Supporters:
The Klondike Challenge originated in the 1970’s as a race on the AuSable River in Grayling, but the event was moved to Oscoda’s Van Etten Creek in 1996. The Klondike marks the “Season Kickoff” for the Michigan Canoe Racing season, and serves as a friendly, spirited sprint event before the MCRA’s Annual Spring Membership Meeting. Paddlers and race fans use the event to catch-up with race friends after a long winter offseason, and to get a sneak peek at the racers for the upcoming season (or to see who has been training during the winter!). Originally a race held in late January or February, it is now held annually in late winter or early spring. In recent years, the Klondike Challenge has become an AuSable River Canoe Marathon fundraising event, incorporating a 5K/10K Run/Walk into the weekend’s festivities. The event is organized by the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon Committee, and hosted in conjunction with the Michigan Canoe Racing Association. Paddlers and runners of all ages and talent levels are welcome to enter. See you there!
2023 CANOE / KAYAK CHALLENGE
Date: Saturday, April 1st, 2023
Entry Fee: $10 per paddler
Registration: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Huntington Bank [4452 County Highway F-41, Oscoda, MI 48750]
Event Start: C-2 event starts at 1:00 p.m. C-1 event starts after C-2’s are underway.
Event Course: The course is approximately 4.25 miles (2.75 miles upstream, 1.5 miles downstream). The canoe / kayak challenge will start at the mouth of Van Etten Creek (where it meets the AuSable River), heading upstream to Van Etten Dam, then performing a counter-clockwise buoy-turn, and then heading back downstream to finish just passed the F-41 bridge near Huntington Bank. Race course is approximately 45 minutes in length.
Other info: Non-racing canoes and non-racing kayaks are allowed. You must provide your own cold-weather gear and safety equipment, such as life jackets/PFD’s. Please take cold-weather and cold-water precautions.
The MCRA Membership Meeting will be held on-site.
2023 RUN / WALK CHALLENGE
Date: Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Entry Fee: $10 per person
Registration: 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. across from the Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground [Intersection of Perimeter Rd & Pride Rd]
Event Start: 5K & 10K events start at 1:00 p.m.
Event Course: Looped course along Perimeter Rd. 10K runners will do two laps.
Other Info: Awards certificates will be available on this webpage in the days immediately following the completion of both the 5K and 10K events.
This is a fundraising event for the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Feel free to bring a dog to run/walk along side you! If you do so, we politely ask that the dog be on a leash.
For more information about the Canoe/Kayak or Run/Walk Challenge, please contact:
Rod Matthews
989-254-7815
oscoda@ausablecanoemarathon.org
Klondike Canoe Champions
| Year | C-2 Time | C-2 Winners | C-1 Time | C-1 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 0:40:20 | Ray Yehl & Dan Gary | 0:48:10 | Daniel Klinkhamer |
| 1997 | 0:39:08 | Brett Stockton & Bill Torongo | 0:42:52 | Ken Kolonich |
| 1998 | 0:39:31 | Brett Stockton & Bill Torongo | 0:45:57 | Rick Joy |
| 1999 | 0:38:02 | Brett Stockton & Bill Torongo | 0:47:39 | Bob Zalewski |
| 2000 | 0:38:22 | Bruce Barton & Jeff Kolka | 0:43:22 | Daniel Klinkhamer |
| 2001 | 0:38:21 | Mo Harwood, Jr. & Jim Harwood | 0:42:14 | Bruce Barton |
| 2002 | 0:38:46 | Bruce Barton & Matthew Rimer | 0:49:02 | Tom Mills |
| 2003 | 0:37:23 | Andrew Triebold & Bruce Barton | 0:45:00 | Bill Schmitz |
| 2004 | 0:36:31 | Brett Stockton & Matthew Rimer | 0:40:18 | Jeff Kolka |
| 2005 | 0:36:09 | Andrew Triebold & Matthew Rimer | 0:44:25 | Jeff Kolka |
| 2006 | 0:36:31 | Andrew Triebold & Matthew Rimer | 0:44:22 | Bruce Barton |
| 2007 | 0:34:50 | Steve Corlew & Matt Streib | 0:45:32 | Russ Reker |
| 2008 | 0:40:07 | Ray Trudgeon & Matt Streib | 0:43:48 | Russ Reker |
| 2009 | 0:40:01 | Lee Barnett & Ryan Halstead | 0:51:35 | Matthew Ashton |
| 2010 | 0:37:29 | Cameron McClain & Matthew Rimer | 0:45:21 | Bill Schmitz |
| 2011 | 0:38:57 | Ryan Foguth & Ryan Halstead | 0:46:39 | Tad Hill |
| 2012 | 0:38:25 | Mo Harwood, Jr. & Josh Sheldon | 0:40:50 | Steve Corlew |
| 2013 | 0:36:39 | Josh Sheldon & Ryan Halstead | 0:45:27 | Tad Hill |
| 2014 | 0:38:53 | Josh Sheldon & Ryan Halstead | 0:48:31 | Shawn Spallinger |
| 2015 | 0:38:20 | Tim Sheldon & Ryan Halstead | 0:44:44 | Tad Hill |
| 2016 | 0:38:24 | Josh Sheldon & Ryan Halstead | 0:44:53 | Russ Reker |
| 2017 | 0:37:31 | Mike Davis & Tad Hill | 0:45:10 | Steve Watson |
| 2018 | 0:38:44 | Mike Davis & Weston Willoughby | 0:44:27 | Shawn Spallinger |
| 2019 | 0:38:01 | Wesley Dean & Kyle Stonehouse | 0:42:50 | Daniel Medina |
