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More than 600 paddlers are expected to take on a 340-mile journey across Missouri during the MR340 ultramarathon race that runs from July 28-31 along the Missouri River.
The annual event travels from Kansas City, Kansas, to St. Charles, Missouri, according to a community announcement. Participants compete in nonmotorized kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and other craft while traveling day and night with a maximum finishing time of 86 hours.
The MR340 began in 2006 when organizer Scott Mansker launched the race to encourage awareness of the Missouri River as a recreational and natural resource. What started with 20 paddlers in 15 boats has grown into what organizers describe as the world's longest nonstop river race.
Missouri River Relief, a Columbia-based nonprofit focused on river stewardship, education and recreation, has organized the event since 2021.
“In the past 21 years, this race has built a community of paddlers, families and towns that support each other and care for the Missouri River,” race director Steve Schnarr said in the announcement. “We are so proud this race continues to be a world-class event on our favorite river.”
Solo racers are scheduled to launch at 7 a.m. July 28 from Kaw Point Park, 1403 Fairfax Trafficway in Kansas City, Kansas. All other boats will begin at 8 a.m.
Racers travel 340 miles to the finish at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, 1050 S. Riverside Drive in St. Charles, Missouri. Lead competitors could arrive as early as the evening of July 29, while most paddlers are expected to finish on July 30 or July 31.
The race operates continuously, allowing participants to stop at river access points to rest or resupply. Family members and friends often serve as ground crews by meeting racers along the route.
Competitors must reach five official checkpoints before designated cutoff times or face disqualification.
The checkpoints are:
Organizers said in the announcement that hundreds of volunteers support racers at ramps throughout the state.
The event record remains 33:01, set in 2018, according to the announcement.
The race concludes with a finish-line gathering from 6-9 p.m. July 31 at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, 1050 S. Riverside Drive in St. Charles.
Top finishers in each category are scheduled to be recognized during a 7 p.m. awards ceremony. Live music is planned before and after the ceremony, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
For race information, organizers direct participants and spectators to the race website at mr340.org, the race roster at mr340.org, race resources at mr340.org and the Missouri River Relief website at riverrelief.org.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: More than 600 paddlers set for 340-mile Missouri River race
Continue reading...
The annual event travels from Kansas City, Kansas, to St. Charles, Missouri, according to a community announcement. Participants compete in nonmotorized kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and other craft while traveling day and night with a maximum finishing time of 86 hours.
The MR340 began in 2006 when organizer Scott Mansker launched the race to encourage awareness of the Missouri River as a recreational and natural resource. What started with 20 paddlers in 15 boats has grown into what organizers describe as the world's longest nonstop river race.
Missouri River Relief, a Columbia-based nonprofit focused on river stewardship, education and recreation, has organized the event since 2021.
“In the past 21 years, this race has built a community of paddlers, families and towns that support each other and care for the Missouri River,” race director Steve Schnarr said in the announcement. “We are so proud this race continues to be a world-class event on our favorite river.”
Race begins at Kaw Point Park
Solo racers are scheduled to launch at 7 a.m. July 28 from Kaw Point Park, 1403 Fairfax Trafficway in Kansas City, Kansas. All other boats will begin at 8 a.m.
Racers travel 340 miles to the finish at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, 1050 S. Riverside Drive in St. Charles, Missouri. Lead competitors could arrive as early as the evening of July 29, while most paddlers are expected to finish on July 30 or July 31.
The race operates continuously, allowing participants to stop at river access points to rest or resupply. Family members and friends often serve as ground crews by meeting racers along the route.
Five checkpoints await paddlers
Competitors must reach five official checkpoints before designated cutoff times or face disqualification.
The checkpoints are:
- Waverly, Missouri
- Glasgow, Missouri
- Jefferson City, Missouri
- Hermann, Missouri
- Klondike County Park Boat Ramp near Augusta, Missouri
Organizers said in the announcement that hundreds of volunteers support racers at ramps throughout the state.
The event record remains 33:01, set in 2018, according to the announcement.
Finish-line celebration planned
The race concludes with a finish-line gathering from 6-9 p.m. July 31 at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, 1050 S. Riverside Drive in St. Charles.
Top finishers in each category are scheduled to be recognized during a 7 p.m. awards ceremony. Live music is planned before and after the ceremony, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
For race information, organizers direct participants and spectators to the race website at mr340.org, the race roster at mr340.org, race resources at mr340.org and the Missouri River Relief website at riverrelief.org.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: More than 600 paddlers set for 340-mile Missouri River race
Continue reading...
