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You are here: Home / Area Events / What is the AuSable River Canoe Marathon?

What is the AuSable River Canoe Marathon?

Fri, March 15, 2013 by Grayling Visitor's Bureau

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What is the AuSable River Canoe Marathon? At 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27,2013, two-person teams will begin North America’s toughest, richest, non-stop canoe race.  At the sound of the gun, the teams, carrying their canoes on their shoulders, race several blocks through the streets of Grayling, Michigan to the AuSable River in front of The Old AuSable Fly Shop.  The fourteen to nineteen hour, 120 mile race, runs throughout the night, finishing in Oscoda at Lake Huron.  Considered to be the world’s toughest spectator sport, approximately 50,000 fans will cheer on the competitors at various points throughout the race.

marathon start photo by Mark Sloan
marathon start photo by Mark Sloan

Race fans are an integral part of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.  They cheer and motivate their favorite teams throughout the night.  They must find access to the river in total darkness, navigate among thousands of other fans in order to get a glimpse of their favorite team, and then move downstream to another public landing, bridge, or Consumers Energy hydro portage. Fans will drive, wait patiently for their team to appear at each point in the river, and cheer madly for 14 to 19 hours as the contestants move down river.

Racers must portage the six dams and battle darkness, the river’s natural obstructions, weather conditions, and sheer exhaustion brought on by paddling their lightweight canoes at a torrid pace of 50 to 80 strokes per minute, non-stop to finish the race. They receive no aid except food, drink, and perhaps a dry shirt passed to them by their “feeders” at points along the course.  During the eight hours of nighttime paddling, they receive little assistance from the moon in avoiding the river’s natural obstacles and are allowed only a small light on the front of their canoe.  The race committee does encourage all teams to use GPS to assist them with navigating the river during night-time hours. The racers must be in top physical condition and most participants cross train in other sports all year round.

marathon Bialek photo
marathon Bialek photo

The racing action gets underway at Penrod’s Canoe Livery (Maple Street Bridge in Grayling) with the AuSable Marathon Time Trials for starting position on Wednesday, July 24 through Friday, July 26.  The Time Trials are much like “Indy 500” qualifying: each team paddles a short looped course with their lap time determining their starting row position for the LeMans’ style run to the river on Saturday.

Other events surrounding the Marathon include youth canoe races, a quilt show, a 10k run, concert, antique car show, parade, concessions and an arts & crafts show.  On Sunday, July 28, 2013, is The Black Bear Bicycle Tour.  This is a 100 mile bicycle tour that winds through the beautiful forests of eastern Northern Michigan and follows portions of the AuSable River to finish the tour alongside the AuSable River near the end point of the Canoe Marathon. A complete schedule of events can be obtained by visiting grayling-mi.com

 For more information on the AuSable River Canoe Marathon and to see a list of sponsors, visit www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

marathon running start photo by Leonard Bingert
marathon running start photo by Leonard Bingert

 

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Filed Under: Area Events, Races, River Related Tagged With: races, river

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Events Calendar

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  • July 2022

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

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T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

1 event, 26

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

June 26 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

1 event, 1

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 1 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 2

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 2 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 3

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 3 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 4

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

4th of July Parade – Downtown

July 4 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

4th of July Parade – Downtown

Community members are strongly encouraged to celebrate Independence Day by joining the Grayling VFW on Monday, July 4 at 11 am for their annual parade. To be a part of […]

0 events, 5

0 events, 6

0 events, 7

1 event, 8

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 8 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 9

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 9 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 10

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 10 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

0 events, 11

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

0 events, 14

1 event, 15

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 15 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

2 events, 16

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

July 16 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

Tentatively scheduled for the third full weekend in July.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 16 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

2 events, 17

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

July 17 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

Tentatively scheduled for the third full weekend in July.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 17 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

0 events, 21

2 events, 22

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 22 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Pre-Show Classic Car & Truck Cruise Night

July 22 @ 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Pre-Show Classic Car & Truck Cruise Night

PRE-SHOW CLASSIC CAR & TRUCK CRUISE NIGHT North Star Auto Wash 6438 W. M-72 HWY. GRAYLING,  MI 49738 JOIN NORTHSTAR AUTO WASH FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL CRUISE NIGHT 5:30PM EVENT […]

2 events, 23

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

36th Car & Truck Show

July 23 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

36th Car & Truck Show

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 23 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 24

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 24 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

1 event, 29

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 29 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 30

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 30 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

1 event, 31

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 31 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

0 events, 4

2 events, 5

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

August 5 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

See old tractors, steam engines and gas engines on display and in action.  Watch as they operate the saw mill, threshing machine, silo filler, grist mill, oh, and our favorite…..the […]

$5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

August 5 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

2 events, 6

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

August 6 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

See old tractors, steam engines and gas engines on display and in action.  Watch as they operate the saw mill, threshing machine, silo filler, grist mill, oh, and our favorite…..the […]

$5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

August 6 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

Fish Hatchery OPEN! Fish Hatchery OPEN! Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Head just past the hospital on North Down River Rd and visit the […]

June 26
June 26 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 1
July 1 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 2
July 2 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 3
July 3 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 4
July 4 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

4th of July Parade – Downtown

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 8
July 8 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 9
July 9 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 10
July 10 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 15
July 15 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 16
July 16 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

July 16 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 17
July 17 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Wood Shaving Days 2022

July 17 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 22
July 22 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 22 @ 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Pre-Show Classic Car & Truck Cruise Night

July 23
July 23 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

36th Car & Truck Show

July 23 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 24
July 24 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 29
July 29 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 30
July 30 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

July 31
July 31 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 5
August 5 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

August 5 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

August 6
August 6 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Wellington Tractor and Engine Show

August 6 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Recurring

Fish Hatchery OPEN!

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