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2018 AuSable River Canoe Marathon – July 28 – 29, 2018

The 71st annual running of One of the Greatest Canoe Races on Earth – The AuSable River Canoe Marathon – is upcoming July 28-29, 2018.

Known by its legions of die-hard fans simply as “The Marathon”, this event is one of the original ultra-endurance events in North America. The Marathon is also the middle leg of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. New York’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta, staged Memorial Day, and Quebec’s Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie, staged over the U.S. Labor Day weekend complete the Triple Crown circuit.

More than 50,000 frenzied fans will cheer & urge on on the tough competitors in The Marathon at various points along the course. First, when the starter’s gun sounds at 9 p.m. Saturday night in Grayling, the teams dash with their canoes through the downtown streets in a thrilling LeMans-style running sprint to the river.

The start of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon has often been referred to as the most intense, exciting several-minute happening in all of competitive sports.

The two-person teams race 120 miles non-stop for 14 to 19 hours & over 50,000 paddle strokes on the AuSable River from Grayling, Michigan to Oscoda, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Huron.

They will battle darkness, weather conditions, river obstructions, illness & sheer exhaustion while charging down the river at a torrid pace of 50 to 80 paddle strokes per minute.

Thousands of fans travel to viewing locations at public access points, bridges & the six Consumers Energy hydroelectric dams that the teams must portage during the race.

Many riverfront homeowners host Marathon Parties for friends & family. The most die-hard fans follow ALL of the race – 120 miles & 14 to 19 hours to the finish line.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is organized by a non-profit organization, AuSable River International Canoe Marathon, Inc. (ARICM) which is made up entirely of volunteers who are fans of this great race.

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Visit AuSable River Canoe Marathon Website >>>>

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AuSable River Canoe Marathon On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Page On Facebook.

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Are you feeling blue that the 2022 Michigan canoe racing season is over? 😩 Well don’t sit back and relax too much- 183 days and the Klondike Challenge kicks off the 2023 season on VanEttan Creek in Oscoda on April 1st. The Klondike 5k/10k run/walk will be held on April 2nd. Get ready to HUP!! 😍
Stay tuned for more details!!
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📣 Consumers Energy Plans Public Meetings For AuSable River Dams - The scheduled meetings begin with the Mio meeting this Monday, September, 26

Consumers Energy is holding meetings to discuss the future of their Hydro Strategy including the six dams located on the Au Sable River. The intent of the meetings is to gather opinions from the public about the future of the dams including their operations, recreation, and impact to the community.

“We need to perform due diligence now as the licenses to operate our dams begin to expire in 12 years. We do not want to assume we know how individuals and communities feel about our dams as we develop plans to either continue investing in or remove any of our river hydro facilities,” said Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations at Consumers Energy. “We are keenly aware the dams have great significance for local communities and impact recreation for Michigan residents and visitors statewide. Public input will be an important component in our long-term strategic planning regarding the future of our dams.”

Schedule of public meetings:

(All meetings begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m. and the public meeting will begin at 6:00.)

Mio Dam
Monday, September 26
Mio AuSable High School Auditorium
1110 W. 8th Street, Mio, MI 48647

Foote Dam
Tuesday, September 27
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Cooke Dam
Wednesday, September 28
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Alcona Dam
Monday, October 10
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
3501 State Rd, Glennie, MI 48737

Loud Dam
Tuesday, October 11
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

Five Channels Dam
Wednesday, October 12
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

For more information, visit👉 ConsumersEnergy.com/HydroFuture
... See MoreSee Less

📣 Consumers Energy Plans Public Meetings For AuSable River Dams - The scheduled meetings begin with the Mio meeting this Monday, September, 26

Consumers Energy is holding meetings to discuss the future of their Hydro Strategy including the six dams located on the Au Sable River.  The intent of the meetings is to gather opinions from the public about the future of the dams including their operations, recreation, and impact to the community.  

“We need to perform due diligence now as the licenses to operate our dams begin to expire in 12 years. We do not want to assume we know how individuals and communities feel about our dams as we develop plans to either continue investing in or remove any of our river hydro facilities,” said Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations at Consumers Energy. “We are keenly aware the dams have great significance for local communities and impact recreation for Michigan residents and visitors statewide. Public input will be an important component in our long-term strategic planning regarding the future of our dams.”

Schedule of public meetings: 

(All meetings begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m. and the public meeting will begin at 6:00.)

Mio Dam
Monday, September 26
Mio AuSable High School Auditorium
1110 W. 8th Street, Mio, MI 48647

Foote Dam
Tuesday, September 27
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Cooke Dam
Wednesday, September 28
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Alcona Dam
Monday, October 10
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
3501 State Rd, Glennie, MI 48737

Loud Dam
Tuesday, October 11
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

Five Channels Dam
Wednesday, October 12
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

 For more information, visit👉 ConsumersEnergy.com/HydroFutureImage attachmentImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

Keep telling people!! Paddlers, make the drive, participate. My questions, how would any one dam removal impact structures along the shore down river? AND, how would it change the marathon?

It's Green energy keep running them

This past weekend we had our King of the River Poker Series fundraiser for the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon. We would like to congratulate Joann Lawless "The Queen of the River" as our Main Event winner. A big thank you to all of those that played in and supported our event. ... See MoreSee Less

This past weekend we had our King of the River Poker Series fundraiser for the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon.  We would like to congratulate Joann Lawless The Queen of the River as our Main Event winner. A big thank you to all of those that played in and supported our event.

Comment on Facebook

Yay congrats Joann

Congratulations

Great job!!!!

Congratulations

Congrats!

Congrats 👌

Way to go

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Did the 2022 Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon inspire you to begin paddling? Or are you looking to get a head start on holiday shopping this year? We have just the item for you!

Marathon paddler, Eric Batway, has written and published a book titled, "Newcomer's Guide to Completing the AuSable River Canoe Marathon". The book is geared towards helping prospective paddlers on their journey and reduce their initial steps to success.

The book is $40 and all proceeds will be donated to the Marathon. The book can be purchased by contacting Eric Batway directly or are available for purchase at John Cherven's office in the Grayling Mini Mall. Books can be mailed once payment is received.

320 days until #HUPAllNight
... See MoreSee Less

Did the 2022 Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon inspire you to begin paddling? Or are you looking to get a head start on holiday shopping this year? We have just the item for you! 

Marathon paddler, Eric Batway, has written and published a book titled, Newcomers Guide to Completing the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. The book is geared towards helping prospective paddlers on their journey and reduce their initial steps to success.

The book is $40 and all proceeds will be donated to the Marathon. The book can be purchased by contacting Eric Batway directly or are available for purchase at John Chervens office in the Grayling Mini Mall. Books can be mailed once payment is received. 

320 days until #HUPAllNightImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

Love the book! Super informative!

Fresh off their win at Quebec's Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie, the final leg of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, 'The Voice of the Marathon' Larry Roberts, and 98.5 UPS-Classic Hits caught up with Michigan's Mike Davis and 2022 Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon winner, Steve Lajoie of Quebec to chat about the race.

That interview will air live at 10:30am today on the 98.5 UPS radio station, which can also be live-streamed here:

v7player.wostreaming.net/7794?fbclid=IwAR1B1gfa-N41LpEWbhXCyGROyHOmTFxlrdDcH6dSLk_g73zVm9Dl6hcp9gE

Tune in to hear the exciting details of Mike and Steve's 30-second win over Guillaume Blais and Jimmy Pellerin, and perhaps a sneak-peak of what the 75th running of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon may bring for some of these paddlers.
... See MoreSee Less

Fresh off their win at Quebecs Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie, the final leg of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, The Voice of the Marathon Larry Roberts, and 98.5 UPS-Classic Hits caught up with Michigans Mike Davis and 2022 Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon winner, Steve Lajoie of Quebec to chat about the race. 

That interview will air live at 10:30am today on the 98.5 UPS radio station, which can also be live-streamed here: 

https://v7player.wostreaming.net/7794?fbclid=IwAR1B1gfa-N41LpEWbhXCyGROyHOmTFxlrdDcH6dSLk_g73zVm9Dl6hcp9gE

Tune in to hear the exciting details of Mike and Steves 30-second win over Guillaume Blais and Jimmy Pellerin, and perhaps a sneak-peak of what the 75th running of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon may bring for some of these paddlers.

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations, guys. I would love to see FB features on the winning woman’s and mixed teams, too!

Congrats . World class athletes !!

Super !

Wowwwww!

Hall of fame paddlers

Awesome

Congrats guys!

View more comments

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