Bring your own boat to canoe and kayak race
Preregistration has closed, but the Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race will continue to offer race-day registration for the 53rd annual race to be held Sunday, June 1, on the Fox River.
The long-popular community event will feature two different lengths for paddlers to choose from - a 10-mile run starting in St. Charles and a 6-miler from Batavia - with both races finishing at McCullough Park in Aurora.
Featuring 19 divisions, the 10-mile race will begin at 9 a.m. from Mount St. Mary Park in downtown St. Charles, with the 6-mile race starting at 10:30 a.m. from the VFW in Batavia, just south of downtown. Boats will be launched in heats of 10 every four minutes from both start areas.
Adding the shorter Batavia route has introduced more people to the river. Families, young paddlers and newcomers have since discovered that paddling a boat amid the steady current, scenic channels and many islands of the Fox is a uniquely enjoyable experience.
Free shuttle buses for participants and spectators will run continuously from McCullough Park to both starting sites.
Day-of registration is available until 10 a.m. in St. Charles and 11 a.m. in Batavia. A limited amount, if any, rental boats may be rented on site but are subject to availability at additional expense. Day-of registration fees from St. Charles are $60 per canoe (two paddlers) and $30 per solo kayak. From Batavia, day-of registration fees are $50 per canoe (2 paddlers) and $25 per solo kayak.
All registered paddlers will receive a commemorative T-shirt, goody bag, sub sandwich lunch with chips and drink and be eligible for prize drawings at the post-race party.
A tailgate-style party and awards ceremony for all paddlers, friends and families will take place at the finish area at McCullough Park and feature food, beer, prizes and dozens of local vendors. Customized medals will be awarded to first, second and third-place finishers in each division for both races.
Radio station WJMK 104.3 FM will broadcast live from the post-race party.
For more information, visitfoxvalleyparkdistrict.org or call (630) 859-8606.