Shmeaceful shmolitude — it’s high time for a frickin’ all-out canoe marathon in the Border Region!
The kind with like, grueling 8000-rod portages. Lots of whitewater (they’d have to fly that in.) Perilous swarms of mosquitoes. Flocks of camp-raiding, gorp-stealing whiskeyjacks. And speed — sweaty, cussing man-powered speed. Oh, and injuries; a few good paddle-to-the-face ones. Maybe even airdrop some wolverines over the portages, just to keep it from being a total walk in the park/pleasure cruise.
A race we shall have: The Cross Quetico Classic Marathon Canoe Race (that’s a mouthful) is coming on August 8-9. Granted, it won’t likely be as nasty as my imaginings and it’ll only touch on Minnesota’s side of the border. Even so, it’s a brilliant way to help celebrate the provincial park’s centennial. Plus, a little competition to stir up the waters is long overdue — by almost 50 years.
Originally conceived by the Ely and Atikokan Chambers of Commerce to draw attention to the area’s outdoor rec potential, the Cross Quetico was held for just three years: 1962 to ‘64. But during that short run, the race featured big-name competitors like Gene Jensen (canoe builder and inventor of the bent-shaft paddle) and Ralph Sawyer of Sawyer Canoes.
In its last year, the race was infamously won by two Atikokanites, Eugene “Bonhomme” Tetreault and Joe “Sauvage” Meany. Wait, voyageur nicknames? “Good Man and the Savage?” I’m liking that. Their strategy of cutting two of their own portages (and even false trails to mislead others) caused a bit of controversy — and hopefully set the tone for this year. Mwah-ha-ha-ha.
Yeah, we’re a little enthusiastic about it, if you hadn’t gathered…
There’s more to be seen and heard as the 2009 canoe marathon approaches, so keep checking UpNorthica.com for updates!
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The race is on, but folks need to send in their registrations so organizers can get a handle on the number of canoes. There is no “early bird” or late entry fee hikes, yet, out of courtesy to the planners so they can do the best job possible for the race it would be best to send your entry in NOW. These folks need to make plans for food, etc., and need to be coordinating the transport of racer’s tents and gear that may require transport into and out of the U.S. on its way TO AND FROM the race midpoint at Prairie Portage.
I just got back from 3 days of racing in Atikokan and there surely is some buzz about the race. It is for stock boats only, so pull out that MN II or Jensen 18 and get it ready to go!
Thanks for the update, David. Here’s to a race that’ll start a few new legends of its own.