Fox River hosts bizarre cast of paddlers for 49th annual race

The Fox River was overtaken Sunday morning by Vikings, pirates, tiki warriors and even a pair of luchadores. But when all was said and done, the 49th annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race was won by two brothers who've been there before.

Mark Koenig of Woodstock and his brother Ron Koenig of Sauk City, Wis., were the only canoe in sight when they finished the 10-mile ride from St. Charles after 10:20 a.m. The pair estimates they've been the first across about seven times in the more than 20 years they've competed.

"We've done it once a year for 20-something years and we're starting to get the hang of it," Ron said. "It's challenging but it's a great ride."

The long-popular race featured two different lengths with more than 200 entrants choosing the 10-mile run starting at Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles and about 100 selecting a more leisurely 6-mile trip from Batavia. Both races finished at McCullough Park in Aurora.

The scenic route is not without challenges, however, as designated areas along the way are filled with channels, whirlpools, stronger currents and water jets.

The masked and caped luchadores Wally and Bob Werderich, collectively known as Los Humungos Paddleos of St. Charles, did not fair nearly as well as the Koenigs, though they admittedly came in with a looser strategy.

"We work as a tag team to defeat the mighty river," Wally said. "But mostly we try to go fast and not flip over."

After the race, participants joined family and friends at a tailgate party in McCullough Park in Aurora featuring the trophy presentations. But the food was not to be overlooked.

"You're going downstream and you're moving at a decent pace but you can also become fatigued if you don't pace yourself," said St. Charles resident Mark Luchessi as he exited his kayak. "I'm ready for a hot dog and a drink."