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GRAYLING ― For most people, paddling a canoe for 14 consecutive hours in the darkness of night sounds like a mission of survival.
In Northern Lower Michigan, that describes an annual tradition that brings in hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators from around the globe every year.
The 78th iteration of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon began on Saturday, July 25, in Downtown Grayling as 103 teams of competitors from 16 states and one Canadian province were greeted on the banks of the AuSable River by a large crowd of fans and spectators. From there, teams made the 120-mile journey from Grayling ot Oscoda throughout the night, racing to become the first team to make it to the shore of Lake Huron.
Part of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, the marathon is one of the most grueling tests of endurance in North America.
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Dating back to 1947, the race was reportedly designed as a post-Labor Day tourist draw for the Eastern Michigan area. Now, the annual race draws some of the top competitors in canoe racing, and plenty of fans, as paddlers make the 120-mile, 14 -plus journey throughout the night.
This year, 106 teams of two (212 competitors) ranging from 15 to 72 years old participated in the 78th annual running. Of those, 93 teams completed the trek, with times ranging from more than 14 hours to nearly 19.
While a 14-hour nighttime canoe race doesn't sound like a spectator sport, it most certainly is. Starting with the opening ceremony in Grayling, thousands of fans gather alongside the riverside to see the Le Mans-style run that kicks off the event.
George Blaha, a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State Spartans, spoke at the opening ceremony, describing the opening of the race as, "One of the most exciting starts in all of sports."
"If this is your first time, get ready for a night you will never, ever, ever forget," said Blaha.
Spectators then follow along the route, checking the progress at predetermined bridges and dams before meeting the racers in Oscoda on Sunday morning. It has been described as the "Toughest Spectator Sport in the World", and those who have experienced it from start to finish can see why.
Travis Mecklenburg of Grayling and Logan Mynar of New Braunfels, Texas, were the overall winners, completing the 120-mile race in 14 hours, 20 minutes and 37 seconds.
Rich Lauth (Grosse Ile) and Mary Schlimmer-Willoughby (Traverse City) were the mixed division winners (15:12:37), and Rebecca Davis (Homer) and Mandy Trudgeon (East Lansing) won the women's division (15:35:16).
The AuSable River Marathon is the second race in the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing that includes the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in New York and the Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie in Quebec. Many of the top racers, including Mecklenburg and Mynar, compete in all three races throughout the summer, with results in each helping towards their final standings. Mecklenburg was one of the 2025 triple crown winners, alongside fellow Michigander Weston Willoughby (Traverse City)
The summertime is filled with plenty of marathons; however, there probably isn't a race more "Michigan" than the AuSable River Marathon.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: AuSable River Marathon continues nearly 80-year Michigan tradition
Continue reading...
In Northern Lower Michigan, that describes an annual tradition that brings in hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators from around the globe every year.
The 78th iteration of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon began on Saturday, July 25, in Downtown Grayling as 103 teams of competitors from 16 states and one Canadian province were greeted on the banks of the AuSable River by a large crowd of fans and spectators. From there, teams made the 120-mile journey from Grayling ot Oscoda throughout the night, racing to become the first team to make it to the shore of Lake Huron.
Part of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, the marathon is one of the most grueling tests of endurance in North America.
HS Football Northern Michigan high school football conferences get another shakeup
Ryan Shay Mile Charlevoix's Eaton, Rochester's McMahan shine in high school Shay Mile
Dating back to 1947, the race was reportedly designed as a post-Labor Day tourist draw for the Eastern Michigan area. Now, the annual race draws some of the top competitors in canoe racing, and plenty of fans, as paddlers make the 120-mile, 14 -plus journey throughout the night.
This year, 106 teams of two (212 competitors) ranging from 15 to 72 years old participated in the 78th annual running. Of those, 93 teams completed the trek, with times ranging from more than 14 hours to nearly 19.
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While a 14-hour nighttime canoe race doesn't sound like a spectator sport, it most certainly is. Starting with the opening ceremony in Grayling, thousands of fans gather alongside the riverside to see the Le Mans-style run that kicks off the event.
George Blaha, a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State Spartans, spoke at the opening ceremony, describing the opening of the race as, "One of the most exciting starts in all of sports."
"If this is your first time, get ready for a night you will never, ever, ever forget," said Blaha.
You must be registered for see images attach
Spectators then follow along the route, checking the progress at predetermined bridges and dams before meeting the racers in Oscoda on Sunday morning. It has been described as the "Toughest Spectator Sport in the World", and those who have experienced it from start to finish can see why.
Travis Mecklenburg of Grayling and Logan Mynar of New Braunfels, Texas, were the overall winners, completing the 120-mile race in 14 hours, 20 minutes and 37 seconds.
Rich Lauth (Grosse Ile) and Mary Schlimmer-Willoughby (Traverse City) were the mixed division winners (15:12:37), and Rebecca Davis (Homer) and Mandy Trudgeon (East Lansing) won the women's division (15:35:16).
The AuSable River Marathon is the second race in the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing that includes the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in New York and the Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie in Quebec. Many of the top racers, including Mecklenburg and Mynar, compete in all three races throughout the summer, with results in each helping towards their final standings. Mecklenburg was one of the 2025 triple crown winners, alongside fellow Michigander Weston Willoughby (Traverse City)
The summertime is filled with plenty of marathons; however, there probably isn't a race more "Michigan" than the AuSable River Marathon.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: AuSable River Marathon continues nearly 80-year Michigan tradition
Continue reading...
