Aroostook River Fun Run Canoe and Kayak Race
Press Report of the 2008 Fun Run
Intermittent rain and unseasonably low water did little to dampen the spirits of paddlers and volunteers as the first annual Aroostook River Fun Run canoe and kayak race ran its course May 31 from Washburn to Presque Isle.
Fred Ludwig, a 47-year-old teacher from Houlton, powered his specially-built kayak to the finish line for the fastest time of the day, covering the 8-mile layout in 56 minutes flat. Ludwig and 65 other participants helped the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs raise money for charity and showcase a scenic and challenging stretch of the Aroostook River.
Racers, ranging in age from 12 to 67 and hailing from as far away as Manheim, Penn., navigated the river in 51 single- and two-person crafts, painting Washburn's Thomas Brewer Park boat landing in a sea of bright colors. Although a final figure will not be announced until June 16, the Fun Run raised several hundred dollars for the Wintergreen Arts Center, a non-profit organization offering low-cost art instruction to central Aroostook County residents of all ages.
“This project was successful on two fronts — it brought out friends and family for healthy recreation on the water and built a lasting relationship between two service-oriented Rotary Clubs,” said Mark Putnam, co-chair of the race's organizing committee.
“Central Aroostook has a free recreational opportunity in our back yards for paddling that should be celebrated and this race helped shine a light on it,” said co-chair Keith Brown of the Washburn Rotary Club.
Based on the positive feedback received from participants, volunteers and sponsors, race organizers definitely plan to continue the event into the future.
Other race winners and their respective divisions were: one-man canoe experienced, tie — Tom Towle of Fort Fairfield and Jim Park of Presque Isle, 1 hour, 10 minutes; one-man canoe novice, Dennis Tucci of PI, 1:31; one-woman canoe experienced, Connie McClellan of Caribou; couple canoe experienced, Sarah Dominick and Will Sweetser, both of Stockholm, 1:06; Century Division Canoe, Carol McElwee of Caribou and Hiram Towle III of Fort Fairfield, 1:19; couple canoe novice,
Amanda Morin of Caribou and Adam Murchison of PI, 1:36; two-man canoe experienced, Peter Blood of Houlton and Mike Sproul of Brownville, 1:11; and two-man canoe novice, Andrew Coiley of Fort Fairfield and Joe Bourgoine of PI, 1:21.
Also, two-women canoe experienced, Catherine Packard of Mapleton and Katie Michaud of Perham, 1 hour, 27 minutes; one-man kayak novice, Chris Morse of PI, 1:15; one-woman kayak, Wendy Maple of Mapleton, 1:26; couple kayak, Linda and Henry Staples of Connor, 1:32; two-man kayak novice, Brian Hamel and Nathan King, both of PI, 1:24; student kayak, Chelsea Bard of Woodland, 1:40; and senior open division, Fran and Ron Bomberger of Manheim, Penn., 1:15.
Numerous door prizes were drawn, including an Old Town Loon kayak won by Tom Towle of Fort Fairfield, while racers awaited the official results. Sponsors included Perception of Aroostook, Mojo, The Aroostook Medical Center, Healthy Aroostook, Barresi Financial Inc., Tim Hortons, Coke, Northeast Publishing Co., Katahdin Trust Company, Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, Town of Washburn, Boy Scout Troop 177 of Washburn, Central Aroostook ARC, Rod Brewer Designs and the PI Recreation and Parks Department.
Race division winners received paddle-shaped awards crafted by students at the Presque Isle Regional Technology Center, under the supervision of Jim Ouellette.
- 2008 Fun Run
- 2008 Fun Run Details
- Number Participants who paddled: 72
- Number Canoes and Kayaks: 51
- Race time of Winners and all particpants
- Beneficiary: Wintergreen Arts Center
- Photographs by Charlie Beck |
Dale Whitten |
Mark & Lara |
Mike Gudreau |
Sharon Campbell |
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