49th Annual Canoe Race, Another Success!
Canoe competitors are lined up and ready to go at the starting line, Fellows Bridge on Sharon Valley Road.
With 66 canoes and kayaks, and more than 100 contestants in this year's Kiwanis Canoe Race, the 49th annual event was deemed a complete success by organizers.
"We had a couple more participants and canoes than last year," said Cindy Kenney, a Kiwanis spokesperson.
There were many familiar names in this year's winner's circle, as well as new participants who gained bragging rights and trophies for their efforts.
In the Man/Woman class, winners included (first) Foley/Foley; (second) Eder/Eder; and (third) Kramer/Feldkamp.
Teen class: Newman/Rickelmann (1st) Willams/Fox (2nd), and Bross/Bross (3rd)
In the sprint class: First place was awarded to the Kittel/Kittel team; second to Turner/Schwab; and third place, Bialecki and Kittel.
Single Canoe winners were (1st) Lukasik; (2) Mullaly; and (3) Kittel
Men's Single Kayak winners included (1st) Bonner; (2nd) Pierce; and (3rd) Herron
Women's Single Kayak winners were (1st) Herron; (2nd) Bonner; and (3rd) Langbehn.
Men's canoe winners included first place Kittel/Etinger; second place Hall/Barker; and third place McCullough/McCullough.
Women (Kayak and canoe) winners were Kolon/Bialecki, first; Scott/Hughes, second; and Blaine/Blaine, third.
Competitive class winners were: Kittel/Abrigo, first; Turner/Schwab, second; and Zenz/Medina, third.
Kenney emphasized that the Kiwanis Club would be unable to coordinate this annual event without the help of many volunteers--including Jim Mann and his river clean up crew, Mardy Kaidan, the Chelsea Amateur Radio Club, and Dennis Kittel. The Kiwanis Club thanks the entire community for its support of this terrific event, and looks forward to celebrating the 50th annual canoe race in May of 2016!
Many of the photos for this article were provided by Cindy Kenney of the Manchester Kiwanis Club.
Spectators cheer for the first canoe to cross the finish line at the Main Street Bridge.
As the leader board fills up, Kiwanis member Pat Vailliencourt begins to announce this year's winners. Cherie Vannatter helped to post accurate times on the board.
The Manchester Township Fire Department had its new ATV on duty at the canoe race this year.
A quiet scene along the River Raisin belies the excitement that went on earlier in the afternoon!
Canoeists and spectators get ready for the awards ceremonies.
Competitor Dennis Kittel and partner cross the finish line
Canoes await their return to the livery.
Women's class: First Place, Margaret Bialecki and Sybil Kolon; second place, Scott & Hughes; third place, Blaine sisters.
The Women's Kayak class winners: First place, Katie Bonner; second place Colleen Pierce; third place Theresa Herron.
Tom Ash was the proud winner of this year's kayak raffle.
Winners in the teen category included first place Becca Newman & Loni Rickelmann; second place Williams/Fox; third place Jillian & Delaney Bross.
Sprint winners: First, Case & Ross Kittel; Second, Schwab/Turner (represented by Bill & Dianne Schwab); and third, Margaret Bialecki & Dennis Kittel.
Single canoe winners: Lukasik, Mullaley & Kittel.
Men's canoe winners: Kittel/Etinger, first; Hall/Barker, second; McCullough/McCullough, third.
Man/Woman Canoe winners: First -Foley/Foley, second - Eder/Eder, third -Kramer/Feldkamp
A father and son moment, as the duo prepares to set off on their journey up the River Raisin.
The competitive challenge winners included first place Kittel/Abrigo; second place Turner/Schwab; and third place Zenz/Medina
Kiwanians Patti McCabe (canoe race chair) and Jerry ___ (Kiwanis President) await the results of the races.
Key Club President, Caitlyn Baskins, helped at the starting line.
Sisters Morgan and Katlin Blaine enjoyed their success
Adult/Child class winners
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