Hundreds compete in canoe marathon

The name says it's a marathon, not a sprint.

For some paddlers, though, the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon was an opportunity to flex their racing muscles.

Pleasant weather greeted the 51st annual edition of the marathon, held along an 18.5-mile stretch of the river between Libertyville and Mount Prospect.

The event's chairman, Jack Snarr, said 560 boats participated. He said the edge still goes to the canoes, but there are more kayaks in recent years.

"The marketing of the sea kayak has got a lot of people into kayaks. Sea kayaks are real stable. They are designed for taking into Lake Michigan or in the sea where there are waves," he said. "It's almost impossible to tip it over, so it's nice for beginners to start with."

The event attracts a mix of recreational and competitive paddlers.

Palatine resident Rich Cornejo brought along a camera to commemorate his maiden voyage. He said he intends to post his pictures on the Web.

For Cornejo, an electrical engineer by trade, kayaking is peaceful and calming.

"You get away from everything," he said.

The peaceful and calm approach was not the one taken by John Abrahams of Duluth, Minn., who was the first to cross the finish line, shortly after 10 a.m. Abrahams said his arms were tired after generating a pace of 7.3 mph on his kayak.

"I try to paddle three or four times a week, and I race probably five to seven times a year," Abrahams said.

A peek into Abrahams' canoe revealed a narrow seating area.

"It's not as comfortable as a canoe, but faster," he said.

Trailing slightly behind Abrahams was the team of Al Limberg and Barb Bradley, of Wausau, Wis. The names of sponsors were pasted over their pro boat. Both take part in races in New York, Michigan and Canada.

Veteran Joe Johnson, 58, who hails from Menominee, Mich., and first participated in 1977, said the event has definitely grown more competitive.

"In the past, there were one or two real fast teams that would show up. Then it seemed like the rest of us were back 10, 15 minutes. But now I think the equipment has gotten better," as has the strategy and the technique, he said.