GREAT RIVERS MARATHON
A full 26.2-mile marathon without any running?
Canoe, kayak or row your way down the
Minnesota and Mississippi rivers By Lou Dzierzak Based in St. Paul, the 133 year old Minnesota Boat Club hosts rowing competitions, conducts beginners classes and promotes the sport of rowing on the Mississippi River. This fall, the MBC hopes to raise its profile by launching the first Great Rivers Marathon. Scheduled on
Saturday, September 6, 2003, the event expects to draw 600 rowing and paddling enthusiasts to the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Twelve members of the Minnesota Boat Club formed the committee to organize the Great Rivers Marathon in December 2002.
"Having organized the Minnesota Rowing Classic the past 43 years on Lake Phalen and hosting several United States Masters Nationals events in the past, we are skilled at operating rowing regattas," says Christina
Fiebich, co chair of Great Rivers Marathon. Problems with milfoil infestations on Lake Phalen prompted the Minnesota Boat Club to bring the regatta to the river and the club's newly renovated Raspberry Island boathouse.
"The biggest challenge we encountered was dealing with officials from four counties and three major cities, and to get approvals and permits to close down the river for the event," Fiebich adds.
"The Great Rivers Marathon begins at the historic Murphy's Landing in Shakopee, Minnesota, and finishes 26.2 miles later at Harriet Island near downtown St. Paul. Canoes, kayaks and rowing shells will compete in separate U.S. Rowing sanctioned classes. Canoes and kayaks will assemble for a separate mass start for each race event. Rowers and scullers can accelerate to race pace after being called from the staging area at 10 second intervals. Times will be reported to the crews when
the bows cross the starting line.
The first leg will travel 22.2 miles down the Minnesota River before joining the Mississippi River for the final four mile leg to the finishing area on Harriet Island. At the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, the flow rate increases and the river widens, but it's still manageable for paddlers of all levels.
Orange marker buoys, flags and officials will signal the end of the race
and prevent paddlers from continuing to Iowa. The half marathon follows the second half of the course and ends at the same finishing line.
The first of what the organizers hope to be an annual event is unique in the terms of padding competitions.
"This is the only true 26.2 mile river marathon and 13.1 mile river half marathon we can find anywhere," says Fiebich. "Racing canoeists are used to 'marathons' ranging from 13 miles to more than 90 miles, but the
distance is not the true 26.2 or 13.1 miles like that of foot races. In fact, it's unusual to find other races that allow entries from rowers, canoeists and kayakers."
To protect the regatta, the United States Coast Guard will close the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers to commercial traffic Saturday morning. Race organizers ask that participants cover the marathon distance within the five hour time period. Paddlers must average 3.5 mph
to complete the marathon in time. The half marathon is a good choice for paddlers who want to experience the event but are uncertain of paddling speed. Navigation markers used for commercial barge operations will help paddlers orient themselves on the course.
During the event, water patrols from four counties will be present to assist paddlers. Minnesota Boat Club members and Great Rivers Marathon volunteers will staff 10 anchored safety stops. Water, snacks,
basic first aid and a limited number of tools for quick boat repairs will be available at each stop.
Participants will travel through the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Recreation Area, 16 park areas, four counties and 10 cities.
"Paddlers will encounter wildlife and bird species like loons, eagles and cranes that most people in the Twin Cities rarely get to see," Fiebich points out.
The event will raise funds to benefit Great River Greening, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix river valleys and watersheds.
At the finish area, participants will receive a finishers T shirt. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each racing class.
Some rules to remember: According to the U.S. Coast Guard and Minnesota DNR regulations, each boat is required to carry at least one
U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device for each participant and an emergency whistle. Race organizers will distribute course maps, bow markers and competitors' numbers that must be displayed during the event.
For registration information and a detailed course map, visit www.GreatRiversMarathon.org or contact the Great Rivers Marathon at 651/665 9375.
THE BASICS
Historic Murphy's Landing is located approximately 23 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 2187 East Highway 101 in Shakopee. From Minneapolis, take Interstate 394 west, turn south on U.S. Highway 169 and take Highway 101 west. Take Highway 101 west approximately four miles to the Historic Murphy's Landing entrance,
which is located on the north side of the highway, just west of Valleyfair Amusement Park.
Event Schedule
6 a.m. safety meeting
6:30 a.m. first boats launch
7 a.m. first event starts
12 noon boats off the water
By 1 p.m. awards ceremony
2 p.m. event concludes
Great Rivers Marathon Classes
Canoe Class
C-1 Weekend Warrior Class, M, F, junior, master, senior, veteran
C-1 Racing Class, M, F, junior, master, senior, veteran
C-2 Weekend Warrior Class, M, F, mixed, junior, master, senior, veteran, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
C-2 Racing Class, M, F, mixed, junior, master, senior, veteran, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
C-3 Weekend Warrior Class, M, F, mixed, junior, master, senior, veteran, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
C-3 Racing Class, M, F, mixed, junior, master, senior, veteran, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
Kayak Events
K-1 Sea Kayak Recreational, M, F, junior, open, masters
K-1 Solo Kayak, M, F, junior, open, masters
K-1 Kayak Downriver Open, M, F, junior, open, masters
K-1 Kayak Touring, M, F, junior, open, masters
K-1 Kayak Unlimited, M, F, junior, open, masters
K-2 Tandem Sea Kayak, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
K-2 Tandem Kayak Unlimited, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters
K-3 Tandem +1 Kayak Unlimited, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters, adult (29 and over) + child (17 and under)
Rowing Events
R-1X Recreational 1X, M, F, junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-1X Racing 1X, M, F junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-2X Recreational 2X, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-2X Racing 2X, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-4+ Racing 4+, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-4X Racing 4X, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters (A-H)
R-8+ Racing 8+, M, F, mixed, junior, open, masters (A-H)
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