NEWS RELEASE
AuSable River Canoe Marathon
Since 1947, One of the Greatest Canoe Races on Earth!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Grayling, Michigan Steve Southard (989) 390-6506
July 27, 2016
Note – Resources including Entry List w/stats, Social Media Assets plus, photos, videos, logos, AuSable River race course map graphic HERE>
Fans Will Be Thrilled at the 2016 AuSable River Canoe Marathon
AuSable River Canoe Marathon July 30-31 - 120 Miles Non-Stop Overnight! #HupAllNight
The AuSable River Canoe Marathon, presented by Consumers Energy is exceptional in many respects. This will be 69th running this granddaddy of United States marathon canoe racing which is rightfully billed as, “Since 1947, One of the Greatest Canoe Races on Earth!”
Ninety-five (95) of the top professional canoe racing teams from throughout the U.S. and Canada are entered. The two-person teams will paddle at an amazing rate of 50-80 paddle strokes per minute for 14 to 19 hours in sleek hi-tech carbon-fiber racing canoes that weigh less than 30 pounds, many costing $5,000 or more.
The teams battle the darkness, river obstructions, frequently adverse weather conditions and sheer exhaustion during the course of the 120-mile race that includes running portages around six Consumers Energy hydro dams. At various locations along the way they receive food, drink, clothing changes and other support from “feeders”, or pit crews. The top teams vie for a share of the $50,000 cash & prizes purse.
Thousands of fans follow the action from the frenzied LeMans-style running start to the river that begins the race in Grayling, on to viewing locations at bridges, public access points and dam portages to cheer on the teams throughout the race to the finish line in Oscoda. Thousands more fans encourage the competitors from riverfront cabins and homes along the fabled AuSable River, many being the site of Marathon parties where family and friends gather to catch a glimpse of the action. Up to 50,000 fans are expected to view at least some part of the race.
Nine-Time Reigning Champs Not Teamed Up Together This Year
It is a sure bet that fans will be treated to some great racing action! The nine-time reigning Champs (2004 & 2008-2015) – Michigan’s Andy Triebold and Quebec’s Steve Lajoie - will not be defending their crown together as a team. With the reigning championship pair not teamed together this year, race observers anticipate a pitched battle for the win!
Champ Andy Triebold is teamed with an AuSable Canoe Marathon rookie competitor – Jacob DuBois, of Houston, Texas. Though he has not competed in the Marathon, DuBois is known as a very fast paddler and it is anticipated that Triebold-DuBois, in the familiar canoe #01, will be among the teams vying for the victory.The other half of the reigning Championship team – Quebec’s Steve Lajoie – is not entered in this year’s AuSable Marathon.
The 2015 Champs of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing - Mathieu Pellerin & Guillaume Blais, both of Quebec – finished 2nd in their first AuSable Marathon in 2015 and will be making a strong bid for their first victory in 2016 in canoe #20. Michigan’s Ryan Halstead and Quebec’s Christophe Proulx have both finished 2nd at the AuSable Marathon, teamed with other paddlers. In canoe #02, they will be strong contenders to notch their first victory.
Nick Walton, who also has a Marathon 2nd place finish to his credit, and fellow Michigander Tad Hill, with a Marathon-best 5th place finish, are anticipated to be in the lead-pack in canoe #13. Other teams that may challenge for the victory include brothers Michael and Ben Schlimmer, from New York in canoe #98, and, a Western-Canada pairing, Saskatchewan’s Mike Vincent and British Columbia’s Graham Smith, in canoe #91.
One Competitor Must Use a Wheel Chair
During the race many AuSable Marathon fans will be intent on following the progress of Mathieu St-Pierre, 28, of Shawinigan, Quebec, who must use a wheelchair due to a serious work-related injury suffered in February, 2015. (ref. article in Le Nouvelliste, May 21, 2015). Preparing to compete at the AuSable River Canoe Marathon has been a primary focus of Mathieu’s recovery from the accident. St-Pierre commented to an AuSable Marathon volunteer, “I want to race the AuSable Marathon because the AuSable is a beautiful river, the Marathon is a fantastic race, the fans are wonderful and the organizing committee does a great job. Since the time of my accident, it has been my dream to compete at and complete the AuSable Marathon again. I have been very focused and training extremely hard for this challenge!”
Mathieu has completed two AuSable Marathons, including a 4th place finish. His partner, Ryan Harris, 25, of Grayling, Michigan has completed four AuSable Marathons. In canoe #69, the pair will be competing according to the well-established rules of the race, meaning that they can receive no outside assistance in progressing forward through any of the portages of the six Consumers Energy hydro-electric dams that they must pass over during the course of the race. The pair’s support crew, also known as a “feeder team”, will meet the team at various locations along the race to provide food, drink, fresh clothing and to transport Mathieu’s wheel chair to the dam-portage locations.
Fans Can Follow the Race in Person… or Online!
New in 2016 is the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network (ARCM Radio Network), which will carry live race reports from the 23-year Voice of the Marathon, Larry Roberts, from 6 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday. Black Diamond Broadcasting’s UPS 98.5 is the Flagship Station of the network, which has more than 20 affiliate stations around the state of Michigan. (ref. “Radio Network” in the Media Assets file on Google Drive)
Fans can also follow the AuSable Marathon LIVE on GPS Online Mapping of the race hosted on the Marathon’s website Every canoe in the race is equipped with GPS satellite trackers, their position updated every 2 ½ minutes throughout the race. The radio broadcast reports are also streamed live on the website.
There will also be live and nearly-live coverage, interviews and updates on the AuSable Marathon’s very active Facebook page Fans can also join the social media conversation on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat by tracking @AuSableMarathon and following the hashtag #HupAllNight.
Whether in person or online, there are many great opportunities for fans to follow this iconic canoe marathon – Since 1947, One of the Greatest Canoe Races on Earth!
# # #
AuSable River Canoe Marathon * July 27, 2016 * Page 2 of 2