Added on May 20, 2019  Marsha Chartrand

53rd Annual River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race results & photos

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A triumphant Adult/Child contestant crosses the finish line at a very rainy 53rd annual Canoe and Kayak Race.

When you participate in the River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race, you usually expect to get wet, one way or another. It’s part of the plan.

So Sunday’s downpour at the finish line didn’t dampen the spirits of the 100+ participants who paddled about 65 canoes and kayaks down the stretch of the “World’s Crookedest River” that extends from Sharon Valley road to Main Street.

The first canoes were put in starting at noon, and the first finisher crossed the finish line at 12:38 pm. Some canoers reported difficulty in portaging, but most of them came through with smiles on their faces, whether or not their watercraft claimed one of the prized trophies.

Winners are listed below, as provided by the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, sponsors of the annual race.

Teen Canoe

  1. 17 A. Drake/A. Compton 1:02.52
  2. 20 D. DuRussel/M. Woods 1:37.15
  3. 45 R. Kelly/A. Woods 1:46.28

Man/Woman Canoe

  1. 2 D. Foley/C. Foley 36.34
  2. 55 S. Bialecki/S. Felder 38.05
  3. 36 C. McClantic/N. Kramer 40.22

Adult/Child

  1. 9 VanderElst/VanderElst 46.04
  2. 13 Line/Line 48.46
  3. 46 DuRussel/Jones 51.39

Man/Man

  1. 63 Kellum/Kellum 39.50
  2. 44 Flint/Novess 40.40
  3. 49 McCullough/McCullough 41.52

Woman/Woman

  1. 3 Foley/Abernethy 42.25
  2. 34 Hoyle/Bialecki 48.01
  3. 50 DuRussel/Jones 1:02.21

Competition

  1. 54 R. Kittel/Uhr 36.49
  2. 56 D. Kittel/Feldkamp 38.27
  3. 58 M. Schwab/Meserva 39.02

Corporate Challenge

  1. 30 LaRock Dental/Jack Hoyle Photography 41.04
  2. 35 Grutza/Hall 43.48
  3. 65 Morris/Fox 55.36

Single Canoe

  1. 57 Shawn Mullaly 39.54

Kayak Woman

  1. 25 L. Knox 42.44
  2. 6 C. Pierce 42.54
  3. 22 T. Herron 45.34

Kayak Man

  1. 26 D. Ives 36.43
  2. 15 R. Ensley 37.34
  3. 33 V. Hittie 39.32

Teen Kayak

  1. 51 C. Flint 40.43
  2. 10 K. Bonner 41.30
  3. 48 S. DuRussel 55.37
Mark Schwab and Ariel Meserva crossed the finish line at 12:38 pm.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Marine unit was on hand as well as the Manchester Township Fire Department. Fortunately, all participants were safe and no services were necessary.
The first kayak to cross the finish line.
Canoe race volunteers. Photo courtesy Manchester River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race
The scene at the beginning of the race was a little more serene, as the rain did not start in earnest until about 12:30 pm. Photo courtesy Manchester River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race
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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.

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