UpNorthica

In just two days, the waters of Quetico will be astir with twenty-plus canoes in a fervid, knuckles-down race — but not one to claim available campsites.

As the date of the Cross-Quetico Marathon Canoe Race now approaches ramming speed, the teams are undoubtedly coveting the first prize of $5000 cash money. You always have to add that part: “cash money;” it just makes it sound that much better. In addition to the winnings, we’ve gotten more details on the competition, the first of this scope since 1964. Read on, sports fans…

Let’s start with the lowdown on competitors. At last count, the number of teams is twenty strong; twelve of those with Minnesotans in the boat (woo hoo!) While official racer bios haven’t been published, some recognizable names are in the list, like Quetico Superintendent Robin Reilly and canoe racing veteran Todd Ellison. Whoever does win though, will be famous on UpNorthica, so who cares about that prize money.

Next, the race course. This map detail shows not just the 125-mile route for the racers; it also highlights the infamous bushwhacked portages cut by Eugene “Bonhomme” Tetreault and Joe “Sauvage” Meany, the winners of the ‘64 race. But there are a myriad of other portages and serpentine waterways that could yet be exploited, and I hope at least a few teams’ll be ballsy enough to try something new.

At any rate, the race begins and ends in Aitikokan, Ontario. The halfway point is a required overnight at Prairie Portage (along the US-Canadian border,) and we’re hoping to bring you a report with some detail by then.

Which leads to the best news we have to share: the live(!) coverage. Thankfully, you can follow the race in real time on Quetico’s centennial site. Handy dandy SPOT Satellite GPS Messengers will be given each team to track progress, and relay any SOS signals or medical emergencies. But let’s just hope for a few impressive callouses and blisters to show off at the finish line.

Drop in on UpNorthica.com this weekend to keep tabs on this spirited race through some of the continent’s most rugged wilderness.