Newcomers flood 48th Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race

A few early morning rain showers did little to stop the deluge of first-time canoeists and kayakers from entering into the 48th Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race Sunday.

The race is back to its usual date, on the first Sunday of June, and featured its traditional 10-mile trek down the Fox River, along with the addition of a shorter 6-mile paddle portion designed for new racers, families and kids.

According to race director Jeff Long, after last year's race had to be shortened due to bridge construction in Batavia, race coordinators noticed the positive response and decided to add a shorter course to the race's lineup.

"The 6-mile race was a short, sweet race that everyone seemed to like... We wanted to make the race more inclusive and give people a chance to try out paddling for the first time," Long said. "We've noticed that when people first try paddling they tend to love it and even the best paddlers have to start out sometime."

And try it they did. Long estimates that about 40 percent of the race's participants were first-time paddlers eager to give the race a shot despite some early rain and thunderstorm predictions.

First-time Mid-American racer Steve Parker didn't allow the weather to prevent him from completing the 10-mile race. Parker, a resident of Oswego, arrived at the St. Charles launch point around 8:30 a.m. ready to make a splash regardless of the weather.

"I figured I'd go for it, I'm going to get wet anyway so what's a little rain?" Parker, 46, said with a chuckle. "Water from the bottom, water from the top, it doesn't really matter."

While the race saw an increase in paddling novices, many long time race participants were back again this year.

Vicki Culver of Elgin has been in the Mid-American Race 31 of its 48 years. Culver, 59, is a breast cancer survivor and avid canoeist. In recent years she has been racing with her pink canoe as a way to raise money and promote breast cancer awareness.

"This is a way of taking something I love to do and try to do something no one has done," Culver said. "Everyone walks or runs so I did it different."

Spectators gathered at the bridge in the park overlooking the river to cheer on racers as they finished and the clouds up cleared a bit.

"It's just really fun to watch the race. It's really cool, especially for the kids," Chad Winiarczyk of Bloomingdale said. "We'll definitely be back again next year."

For results, visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.