Grayling Visitors Bureau

Triebold, LaJoie Repeat as AuSable River Canoe Marathon Champions

2010 AuSable River Canoe Marathon winners Andrew Triebold of Grayling, Michigan and paddling partner Steve LaJoie of Mirabel, Quebec have continued their roles as marathon champions in the 64^th running of the historic Grayling to Oscoda event held on July 30 and 31, 2011. With Triebold paddling in the bow position and teammate LaJoie toiling in the stern, the pair battled through high temperatures and humidity and low water conditions to repeat their claim to victory in 14 hours, 41 minutes.

Triebold and LaJoie led all 15 timed stages to win the $5000 first prize in the 120-mile long event. The repeat victors were followed across the finish line by the team of Ryan and Rodney Halstead, Grayling, Michigan in 14:58:32. Finishing third was the team of Josh Sheldon, Potterville, Michigan and Steve Kolonich, Eaton Rapids, Michigan in 15:01:22.

Husband & Wife Team of John & Cheryl Lucey, long time active marathon committee member volunteers finished 63^rd in 18:08:25. Lynne Witte, President of the Michigan Canoe Racing Association, Mt.Clemens, Michigan and her partner, Michael Garon, Washington Township, Michigan, completed the race in 17:21:30.  One of the most well-known racing teams, Al Widing, Sr., (86 years old) from Mio, Michigan and Rick Joy (52) from Silverwood, Michigan, finished in 16:50:43. The only Youth Team, Spencer and Wesley Dean, Grayling, Michigan, completed their first marathon in 17:52:32. The youngest paddler, Zach Mack, raced with his father, Joel Mack (Grayling, MI); they finished the race in 17:38:52. Ross Teeple and Will Fowler, also both from Grayling, Michigan, clocked in at 17:55:46. Fowler is scheduled to deploy overseas with the military within the next two months.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is the roughest, non-stop canoe race in North America and reported to be the toughest spectator sport in the world.  The racecourse runs almost the entire length of the AuSable River, 120 miles.

Additional information can be found on the marathon website, www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.

Contact: Suzanne Schlachter

Phone: 989-348-4425

Email: sschlachter@casdk12.net

Website: www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

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