600 canoes to churn Des Plaines Sunday

Southbound traffic should be heavy Sunday morning on the Des Plaines River from Libertyville to Mount Prospect.

That's when 500 to 600 watercraft are expected for the 51st Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon. Chairman Jack Snarr said the event can accommodate up to 1,000 canoes on the 18.5-mile course.

Snarr said early registration was hindered by a temporary Des Plaines River closure in some areas that was necessitated by high water in March and early April.

"That was alarming to people," Snarr said.

Here are some things you should know about the marathon according to Snarr and the Des Plaines River Association.

• Action starts on the river at Oak Spring Road in Libertyville at 8 a.m. Sunday. It will end at Dam No. 2 in a Cook County forest preserve near River and Kensington roads in Mount Prospect.

Heats for the second-oldest canoe race in the United States will be in two-minute intervals in groups of eight. The trip should take 3½ to five hours, depending on skill level.

• Don't worry if you didn't meet Tuesday's entry deadline. You can register, for $30 per person, at the Libertyville start line from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

• You won't have to walk back to your car with a canoe. Shuttle buses will run continuously between the start and finish lines.

Organizers said it's better to park at the start and get the free ride after completion in Mount Prospect.

• Be observant shortly after the marathon begins. Beavers have been hard at work a little south of Libertyville.

"You can see a lot of beaver activity where they've been chewing the trees," Snarr said.

• Watch for deer and muskrat. Those animals are all along the Des Plaines River.

"Lots of great blue heron, definitely," added Snarr. "Probably 90 percent of the race course has forest preserve on both sides of the river."

• Plenty of novices get into the event to enjoy the scenery. There are 22 classes in the race, ranging from men competition cruiser to mixed-couple touring.

• Finishers will get marathon patches. There will be voyageur trophies for first-place finishers in all racing classes except No Contest.

In addition, awards will go to the top three selections for best-decorated canoe. A ceremony for the awards will start at 3 p.m.

• If you tip over and don't swim well, grab the side of the canoe, Snarr said.

Little danger should be present because the Des Plaines has a mild current and isn't deep. The canoe won't race downstream if you get dumped.

Snarr said life jackets must be worn by racers 14 and younger. Life preservers are mandatory for adults if conditions warrant.

• Crews have been clearing the river of debris along the marathon path. Snarr predicts a smooth ride.

• Find a canoe to rent now if you want to be in Sunday's marathon. A list of places is on the event's official Web site at www.canoemarathon.com.

• Lake County and Cook County forest preserve districts assist in the race in conjunction with the Des Plaines River Association.