2018 Program Book - AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon

The

July 24-29, 2018

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Table of Contents

A n ote f r om the p ub lisher ......................4 Riv er F estiv al an d M ar athon 2 0 1 7 M ar athon Results .......................5 - 6 S chedule of E v en ts ................................8 A RC M Radio N etwor k .............................9 I r on P addler A war d ...............................1 0 C ar eer P oin ts Ran k in g - T op 4 0 .......... 1 1 M eet the six dams.................................1 2 W in n er s List ................................1 5 , 1 6 , 1 9 C heck p r esen tation ..............................1 7 A n gler s of the A uS ab le ........................2 0 H ealthy r iv er s r eq uir e all p addles in the water .............................2 2 H all of F ame ..........................................2 3 Rab ask a C an oe Race ......................2 4 - 2 7 A uS ab le Riv er C an oe M ar athon M ap ..................................3 0 - 3 1 Loss of a Legen d A l W idin g S r . T r ib ute .......................3 3 - 3 8 F oote D am tur n s 1 0 0 ............................4 3 D a$ h f or C a$ h ..................................4 4 - 4 5 C on sumer s E n er gy clean en er gy goals .........................................4 8 M un son H ealthcar e G r aylin g H osp ital - S er v in g the commun ity f or 1 0 0 year s .....................5 2 Racing Statistics are located throughout the book

71st AuSable River Canoe Marathon 2 0 1 8 V olun teer Race C ommittee Grayling Oscoda Heather Tait Justin Griffith Darin Nicholas Kathleen Erickson Christina Schlitt Lisa Denney Jack Richards Rod Matthews Tim Weismiller Ryan Matthews Rich Kimmel Melissa Hill Ernie Balch Sylvia Harmon Andy Moore Sam Harmon Bruce Schlitt Sarah McLeod Marcia Koppa Mikayla Erickson Wayne Koppa Keith Wojahn Steve Southard Sherry Kimsel Wes Dean Marie Matthews Greg Stansbury Justin Collier Rebecca Collier

Š 2018 Sunrise Printing & Publishing, Inc. Publishers of the Arenac County Independent, Ogemaw County Herald and Oscoda County Herald 215 W. Houghton Ave. P.O. Box 247 West Branch, MI 48661 989-345-0044

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Marathon provides a night of excitement

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!

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By Eric Young In my time as a journalist the last 10 years, I’ve had the chance to do a lot of cool things.

I’ve covered rock concerts and professional motocross races, been on the sidelines for a Detroit Lions football game and behind the glass taking photos at junior hockey games, and even covered multiple NASCAR races.

But covering the 69th AuSable River Canoe Marathon two years ago created excitement and intrigue that those events couldn’t. While I had heard of the event multiple times, it was the first time I got to experience it myself.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I got to Grayling, I couldn’t believe the crowds of people. It had more of a rock concert feel than that of a canoe race.

I wandered around for a bit and about an hour before the race, I made my way to the starting line as I tried to determine where I was going to take photos of the start. Many of the canoes were lined up on the grid while people mingled around them. It started to feel like I was on the starting grid of the Indianapolis 500. The electricity was undeniable.

When the start finally happened, I had positioned myself back at the entry point to the river. Things happened so quickly as the racers jumped into the water and paddled away. I was intrigued, and I decided I had to go to one of the crossings and see some more.

I got in my car and drove to the location of the first crossing, a bridge over the river in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. By that time it was getting dark, and the bridge was illuminated with portable lights. As the canoes came through, the large crowd of people cheered the paddlers on as they burst from the darkness and disappeared into the darkness yet again. It was reminiscent of being at a rally race.

By the time I got back to my car, I was planning how late I could be out to continue to follow the event. How many more stops could I make before I needed to get some sleep to be functional the following day?

I settled on the Mio dam as a good stopping point, since one of our papers,

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

the Oscoda County Herald, is located there. At this point I was already hooked, but I wasn’t prepared for the experience the dam brought.

If you’ve never been to the Mio Dam, the dam creates a lake that is known as the Mio Pond. When you arrive at the dam for the race, it’s pitch black because at this point it’s very late, or early, however you want to look at it.

You basically are standing there on a cement slab on the edge of the water, staring off into nothing but blackness, waiting for something to happen. It’s quiet, eerie almost. There are people there gathered to watch, but not as many because of the time.

As you stand there, eventually you see a pinpoint of light far off in the distance. Then you might see another, and another. Those points get slightly bigger as they cross the pond. There are temporary lights on the dam, but they only illuminate a few feet of the water, so these lights get bigger and bigger until all of the sudden a canoe bursts into the light. There is a flurry of activity as it arrives on the side of the dam. The paddlers jump out, grab their canoe as quickly as they can, and run the length of the dam.

Some get drinks or other items to help them on their way, but just as quickly as they are out of the water, they reach the other side of the dam and they’re back in, paddling off into the darkness yet again. This happens over and over again as the field makes its way through Mio. And there are five more portages just like it along the race route.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is really something to behold. If you have never been out to it, I highly recommend it.

Sunrise Printing & Publishing, Inc. is thrilled to be partnering with the Marathon again this year for the 71st anniversary to present you with this year’s Program Guide.

The guide features the businesses and organizations that support and sponsor the marathon, the racers who gather from around the world to compete and the history and heritage of the Marathon and the AuSable River.

Edelweiss Tavern

2017 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results Place

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

No.

02 04 55 01 13 05 78 90 08 89 17 62 07 22 94 37 68 14 43 64 76 30 72 57 93 74 71 44 48 99 11 15 73 29 31 98 85 18

Paddlers

Christophe Proulx & Samuel Frigon Steve Lajoie & Guillaume Blais Mike Davis & Weston Willoughby Andrew Triebold & Mary Schlimmer Nick Walton & Matt Meersman Trevor Lefever & Matt Rudnitsky Michael Schlimmer & Joseph Schlimmer Tom Pellerin & Jim Pellerin Shane MacDowell & Pete Mead Richard Lauth & Kyle Mynar Patrick Madden & Adam Gelinas Ryan Zaveral & Philip Millspaugh Daniel Medina & Austin Weiler Tim Sheldon & Colin Hunter Ted Smutek & Matt Gabriel, Jr. Rebecca Davis & Edith MacHattie Wesley Dean & Jason Hatfield Trevor Robinson & Bill Torongo Wade Binion & Hener Cruz Simon Dessureault & Sarah Lessard Tim Chapple & Vincent Bellemare Chris Issendorf & Andrew Condie Ray Trudgeon & Mandy Trudgeon Jon Webb & Gwen Hills Sean Brabant & Kyle Stonehouse Seth Miller & Stephen Miller Devin Arenz & Joe Manns Flash Marsh & Carson Burmeister JĂŠrĂŠmie Fortin & Anthony Massicotte Antoine Rouleau & Rosalie Frigon Rick Joy & Phil Weiler Joel Truitt & Eric Whicker Mike Fries & Kevin Olson Nate Winkler & Rodney Matthews Fred Kueffer & Kira Stolen Ben Schlimmer & Miranda Robinson Gary Aprea & Gloria Wesley Tommy Cramer & Dylan Kirk

Time

14:18:45 14:18:46 14:26:01 14:37:45 14:43:12 14:50:14 14:52:30 14:55:04 14:56:53 14:56:54 15:04:17 15:10:21 15:13:15 15:15:39 15:17:04 15:17:39 15:20:44 15:25:26 15:38:00 15:39:15 15:42:14 15:42:59 15:44:13 15:47:26 15:50:17 15:51:08 15:55:01 15:58:20 16:02:11 16:11:08 16:13:20 16:15:53 16:17:23 16:17:41 16:20:48 16:22:06 16:22:34 16:23:09

Continued on Page 6

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2017 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results (continued)

Place

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

No.

24 25 36 40 51 79 80 96 67 52 75 10 83 60 28 50 34 87 61

Paddlers

Kristi Treston & Katie Treston Mike Elenbaas & Mike Hale Joel Mack & Michael Garon Fred Mills & Rodger Moak Christian Marchand & Sylvain Marchand Doug Moggo & Bruce Daman Luc Mercier & René Joly Nathan Tate & Adam Fujita Roy Sowersby & Jim Cerva Paul Olney & JoAnn Olney Keith Wojahn & Jerry Killingbeck Maria Schilling & Io Harberts Ray Bauer & Tom Ackemyer Rebecca Sutter & Roger Henry David Sennett & Ashley Cary Bill Mahaffy, Jr. & Chris Hewitt Ed Lipinski & Scott Doederlein Nicole Owens & Rodney Elliott Chuck Hewitt & Erin Thompson

Time

16:25:59 16:26:40 16:27:24 16:29:14 16:32:00 16:44:24 16:46:00 16:49:17 16:55:11 16:59:17 17:11:16 17:11:40 17:15:20 17:15:28 17:16:23 17:17:04 17:18:15 17:24:35 17:28:13

Place

No.

80

41

58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

23 27 81 12 70 88 59 54 47 26 32 49 19 58 86 45 84 42 35 69 38 56

Paddlers

Kevin Murphy & Darin Nicholas Ted Cramer & Dwight Walker Scott Carroll & Sinthang Has Josh Kellogg & Mike Kellogg Chris Gallagher & Chris Ecker Shawn Spallinger & Chase Spallinger Fritz Hansen & Jaya Elleson Sylvie Nadeau & Lynne Witte Jeff DeFeo & Katie Schaaf Andrew Weeks & Paddi Thornburg Judi Clark & Rod Clark Lauren Fry & Mark Rowe Peggy English & Ellen Thompson Greg Zophy & Lauren Chapple Jordan Jamison & Jeffrey Matthews Daniel Sherman & Bradley Thompson David Armstrong & Karen Febey Jon Thompson & Bryan Bearss Zachary Childs & Ryan Childs Chris Scully & Ed Butler David Hallison & Jason Holton Jim Braig & Kevin Stalheim Chris Ragsdale & Matthew McDougallSmith

Time

17:29:39 17:37:40 17:39:05 17:44:08 17:45:07 17:48:23 17:51:35 18:00:55 18:09:18 18:10:14 18:16:09 18:16:13 18:19:13 18:20:39 18:30:12 18:48:02 Drop Drop Drop DQ-OT DQ-OT Drop Drop

C hr istop he P r oulx an d S amuel F r igon celeb r ate af ter n ar r owly beating Steve Lajoie and Guillaume Blais at the finish of last year ’ s M ar athon in Oscoda.

NOrTHerN VieW PHOTOGraPHY

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Program Book

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2018 AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon Schedule of Events July 20 – 29, 2018 in Grayling

F RIDAY , J ULY 20

6:30 p.m. Pre-Show Cruise Night & BBQ at Northstar Auto Wash

S ATURDAY , J ULY 21

8 a.m.-3 p.m. 33rd Annual Classic Car Show on Michigan Ave. (Registration 7-10 a.m., Trophies 2:30 p.m.)

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Park-N-Swap at American Legion Parking Lot (Space Rental $20 – Call Jeri to reserve, 989-344-2129) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the Artist Day at Main Branch Gallery Noon-2 p.m. Ice Cream Social – Sweet Treats & great Shopping at Old Lumber Yard Shoppes 1 p.m. Duck Race in the City Park following the Spikes Challenge Spikes Challenge Schedule 8 a.m. Registration for all races: (C-2 Sprints for starting position), (C-2 Amateur, Expert) & (C-1 Expert) (Junior and Fledgling) Grayling City Park Pavilion 9 a.m. Sprints for Starting Position of C-2 Race, Grayling City Park Pond 2 p.m. Junior and Fledgling races on the City Pond 5 p.m. Registration at Joe Wakeley’s House for C-1 and Junior/Fledgling C-2 Race to Burton’s Landing 5:30 p.m. Start of Junior/ Fledgling C-2 Race to Burton’s Landing, beginning on Ingham St. 5:30 p.m. Start of Youth C-1 Barton Cup Qualifier Race to Burton’s Landing, Start at Ingham St. 6 p.m. Start of the C-1 Race. $700 Purse Men’s. $560 Purse Women’s, Start at Ingham St.

S UNDAY , J ULY 22

Spikes Challenge Schedule 8

8:30 a.m. Line-up for the C-2 Le Mans style start based on sprint times, line-up on Ingham St. 8:30 a.m. Start of the C-2 Expert Class 9 a.m. C-2 Expert Div. II Class 2 p.m. Award Ceremony at Grayling City Park

M ONDAY , J ULY 23

Marathon MONDAY — Wear your Favorite Marathon Shirt #MarathonMonday, tag us with your hashtags and pics @ausableriverfestival on Facebook!

T UESDAY , J ULY 24

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids’ Day in Grayling City Park 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Rock & Rest at Grayling Nature Center (City Park) 4-7 p.m. Low Country Boil & Blessing of the Boats at Michelson Memorial 5 p.m. Da$h for Ca$h Sprints in Oscoda

W EDNESDAY , J ULY 25

3-7 p.m. Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery 5:30 p.m. H.U.P. (“Hurry Up & Paddle”) Race in Grayling City Park

T HURSDAY , J ULY 26

3-8 p.m. Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery 4:30-7 p.m. Business Canoe Relays at Penrod’s Canoe Livery 8 p.m. Teen Dance at the Middle School Field AuSable Main Stage 200 Block 3 p.m.-Midnight Beer Tent

4 p.m. Cardio Drumming 6 p.m. Grayling’s Got Talent 8 p.m. Live Music

F RIDAY , J ULY 27

10 a.m.-8 p.m. 41st Annual Arts & Crafts Show in Grayling City Park 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Lil Paddler Play Zone in the Huntington Bank Lawn, Inflatables $12 Unlimited play for one day Wristband, or $5 for 15 minutes of play!

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Food Court in 100 block AuSable River Main Stage 200 Block 8-11 a.m. Lumber Jack Breakfast 11 a.m. Grayling Marching Band Performance Noon-Midnight Beer Tent 2 p.m. Paddle Battle 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Concessions under City Park Pavilion (run by AuSable Dance Boosters) 2-4:30 p.m. Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery 2:45 p.m. Special Olympics Canoe Races at Penrod’s Canoe Livery 5:30 p.m. Paddler’s Pre-Race Briefing/Social at Ramada Inn closed to the public 7 p.m. Grayling Eagles Steak Out & Raffle 7 p.m. Grayling Country Club Live Music “American Made”

S ATURDAY , J ULY 28

9 a.m. GRA’s 10K/5K (Road Running), starts at Hanson Hills Recreation Area (Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m.)

9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1st Annual Arts & Crafts Show at Grayling City Park

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Concessions under City Park Pavilion (run by AuSable Dance Boosters) 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Lil Paddler Play Zone in the Huntington Bank Lawn, Inflatables $12 Unlimited play for one day Wristband, or $5 for 15 minutes of play!

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Food Court in 100 block AuSable River Main Stage 200 Block 9:30 a.m. Cardio Drumming 11 a.m. Miss AuSable River Pageant Noon-Midnight Beer Tent 1:30 p.m.-Midnight Live Music 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Grayling Eagle’s Horseshoe Tournament 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ice Cream Social at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church 3 p.m. AuSable River Festival Parade in downtown Grayling Official AuSable River Canoe Marathon Pre-Race Events 4-9 p.m. Official AuSable River Canoe Marathon VIP Area 6 p.m. Pre-Race Program at Old AuSable Fly Shop 7 p.m. Introduction of Paddlers at Old AuSable Fly Shop 7 p.m. Grayling Country Club Live Music “Bobby Socks” 7:45 p.m. Posting of the Colors at Old AuSable Fly Shop 9 p.m. Start of the 71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon at the Old AuSable Fly Shop (paddling from Grayling to Oscoda)

S UNDAY , J ULY 29

End of 71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon (ends in Oscoda – Leaders 11:30 a.m. to Finishers 4p.m.)

2018 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon Volunteer Organizing Committee is pleased to continue our partnership with 98.5 UPS [Black Diamond Broadcasting] with the expansion of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network (ARCM Radio Network). The radio network was highly successful in its first year, and that momentum will continue into 2018. Our flagship station, 98.5 UPS – The Station That Delivers, and in cooperation with the AuSable Marathon’s other official station, Carroll Broadcasting’s Hits-FM 94.9 & 103.3, a record number of ARCM Radio Network affiliate stations around the state of Michigan, including newly acquired Black Diamond Broadcasting stations The Bear,

Big Country, and Rock 105 & 95.5, will carry AuSable Canoe Marathon race updates for 19 hours, from 6 p.m. Saturday night, July 28, through 1 p.m. Sunday, July 29. Black Diamond Broadcasting and Carroll Broadcasting stations, with signals covering all of Northern and Central Michigan, will continue to carry live race reports through Sunday’s 4 p.m. official conclusion of the AuSable Marathon.

Larry Roberts, the Hall of Fame 24-year “Voice of the Marathon,” will work with the volunteer organizing committee to cover the race for the network and also work on other audio and video promotional projects for the event.

“We were very pleased with the results Program Book

of this project last summer, and are excited to see the progress we›re making in 2018,” ARCM Co-Chairman Heather Tait said. “These connections we’re making with stations and the communities they ’ re in are vital to the growth of the Marathon, and we’re excited to see where this partnership takes us.”

“We are excited and proud to continue our partnership with the AuSable River Canoe Marathon,” said Mike Chires, owner of Black Diamond Broadcasting. “ We’re looking forward to expanding radio coverage of one of the most exciting events in our state each year to fans throughout Michigan, other U.S. states and abroad. ”

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C

reated by Hall of Fame Historian John B. Cook, the Iron Paddler Award is given to paddlers who have finished ten or more AuSable River Canoe Marathons in the Professional Division. To put 10 finishes into perspective, it is 1,200 miles of intense hardcore paddling; it is a minimum of 500,000 relentless paddle strokes; it is a minimum of 140 hours of grueling canoe racing.

These paddlers are diehard and dedicated. These paddlers are iron-willed and incredible. These paddlers are the Toughest of the Tough!

Iron Paddler Award Recipients “The Toughest of the Tough!”

No.

Paddler

1 Bernie Fowler 2 Steven Kolonich 3 Ralph Sawyer 4 Jack Kent 5 Al Widing, Sr. 6 Irvin “Buzz” Peterson 7 Jack Kolka 8 Jerry Kellogg 9 Verlen Kruger 10 John Baker 11 Bob Welsch 12 Butch Stockton 13 Brett Stockton 14 Tony Short 15 Rick Joy 16 Jeff Kellogg 17 Al Robinson 18 Dave Shepherd 19 Ken Kolonich 20 Serge Corbin 21 Lynne Witte 22 Jeff Kolka 23 Jim Harwood 24 Bill Torongo 25 Steve Kolonich 26 Randy Drake 27 Ted Kolka 28 Al Rudquist 29 Blaise St. Pierre 30 Bill DuBois 31 Robert Bradford 32 Clark Kent 33 Steve Landick 34 Bruce Barton 35 Carrie Montgomery 36 Michael Garon 10

Year Age

No.

1956 1961 1962 1965 1968 1971 1972 1977 1978 1980 1980 1983 1987 1987 1987 1989 1989 1991 1992 1993 1993 1994 1994 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 2000 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004

37 Jon Webb 38 John Sullivan 39 Tom Trudgeon 40 Joe Shaw 41 Connie Cannon 42 Dwight Walker 43 Steve Krantz 44 Solomon Carrière 45 Joseph Seifert 46 Fred Mills 47 Ted Smutek 48 Frank Smutek 49 Mo Harwood, Jr. 50 Ray Bauer 51 Tom Cannon 52 Peter Heed 53 Ray Quick 54 Joe Johnson 55 Andrew Triebold 56 Steve Lajoie 57 Mike Bradford 58 Allen Limberg 59 Greg Nelson 60 Brian Royce 61 Chuck Hewitt 62 Colin Hunter 63 Tim Sheldon 64 David Teddy 65 Amy Solak 66 Sean Casey 67 Mike Hartman 68 Jeff DeFeo 69 Nate Winkler 70 Robert Smith 71 Jon Thompson 72 Don Brooks

30 41 25 34 43 47 38 33 56 38 38 34 24 23 28 44 46 35 46 36 39 35 30 34 25 43 31 38 60 44 59 43 50 46 33 47

Paddler

Year Age

No.

2004 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012

73 Matt Streib 74 Pete Mead 75 Tad Hill 76 Rodney Matthews 77 Dick Kloss 78 Nick Walton 79 Gloria Wesley 80 Jason Hatfield 81 Flash Marsh 82 Joey Kimsel 83 Brad Wilson 84 Gary Aprea 85 Tom Ackemyer 86 Chris Hewitt 87 Ellen Thompson 88 Ryan Halstead 89 Matt Meersman 90 Russ Reker 91 Mike Packard 92 Tim McClure 93 John Lucey 94 Michael Schlimmer 95 Tim Chapple 96 Benedict Schlimmer 97 Doug Moggo 98 Fritz Hansen

44 36 47 51 45 52 53 51 56 53 40 74 30 52 53 59 54 59 34 34 45 52 53 38 51 30 46 37 46 33 35 56 39 38 55 43

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Paddler

Year Age 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

49 32 35 58 71 41 54 37 38 34 33 72 50 25 58 29 39 52 52 58 52 31 43 28 55 76

Paddlers On the Cusp (9 Pro Finishes) Barb Bradley Darwin Gilbert Don Burklund Matt Gabriel, Jr. Matthew Rimer Michael Montgomery

Ray Trudgeon Roger Henry Steve Watson Tim Triebold Tim Valko

Official Marathon Career Points Ranking - Top 40 Rank

Name

Points

Best Finish

Last Year of Points

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9(t) 9(t) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20(t) 20(t) 20(t) 20(t) 24 25(t) 25(t) 27 28(t) 28(t) 30 31(t) 31(t) 33 34 35(t) 35(t) 37 38 39 40

Serge Corbin Jeff Kolka Rick Joy Andrew Triebold Steve Lajoie Ralph Sawyer Bill Torongo Brett Stockton John Baker Jim Harwood Tony Short Jerry Kellogg Ken Kolonich Jack Kolka Butch Stockton Steve Kolonich Irvin Peterson Bernie Fowler Al Widing, Sr. Steven Kolonich Jack Kent Jeff Kellogg Randy Drake Solomon Carrière Dave Shepherd Al Rudquist Ted Kolka Bruce Barton Ryan Halstead John Sullivan Bob Welsch Nick Walton Stan Hall Matthew Rimer Jay Stephan, Sr. Matt Streib Larry Kindell Tim Triebold Steve Krantz Luc Robillard

2150 1810 1620 1450 1350 1290 1260 1230 1220 1220 1150 1120 1050 1030 1010 1000 890 810 770 740 740 740 740 700 690 690 660 650 650 640 630 630 620 600 550 550 540 530 520 510

1st 1st 3rd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 3rd 1st 1st 1st 3rd 1st 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st

2005 2005 2008 2017 2017 1968 2012 1992 1990 2006 2009 1982 2015 1981 1987 2011 1971 1956 1988 1965 1968 1990 1998 2000 1992 1998 2007 2007 2016 2007 1981 2017 1973 2010 1957 2014 1961 1999 1990 1978 Program Book

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Meet the 6 dams along the AuSable River Canoe Marathon route Consumers Energy welcomes you to the 2018 AuSable River Canoe Marathon, where our dams have been integral to each race over the decades.

To fans, the dams provide convenient locations along the river to view the action and cheer on the competitors.

To competitors, the dams are destinations to mark progress, stretch their legs and accept much-needed snacks and drinks from friendly volunteers. Racers also recognize each dam has unique characteristics that influence paddling strategies that can make or break finishing times.

Mio Dam With the downhill sprint and splashy launch of their canoes in Grayling during daylight a fading memory that has given way to a cadence of powerful paddle strokes and darkness, canoe marathoners are relieved to reach Mio Dam. At this first portage, they get the welcomed opportunity to walk, run, stretch and get energized from the roaring greetings from appreciative fans.

Mio Dam recreation sites located on both sides of the river immediately downstream of the dam provide spectators multiple locations to view the race.

Mio Dam construction was completed in 1916, and it has a 4 megawatt capacity. The plant, recognized as a State Historical Site, was the first dam to utilize a conduit, or under sluice spillway. Race teams begin arriving at the site at approximately 3:15 a.m.

Alcona Dam Race teams begin arriving at Alcona Dam, the second portage along the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, about 5:30 a.m. The reservoir behind Alcona Dam is known for its thick fog, and the sun rising about the time the racers reach this destination is a welcome sight, as it begins burning off the fog and signals the end of a long night

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Five Channels provides significant race viewing opportunities at the canoe portage and the old M-65 bridge. Parking and standing on the new M-65 bridge is not allowed.

Parking for spectators is possible on both the south side and north side of the river and a little walking may be required.

Five Channels Dam construction was completed in 1912, and it has a 6 megawatt capacity.

A b ov e, a p hoto tak en dur in g the con str uction of Loud D am.

B elow, a p ictur e of C ook e D am dur in g its con str uction .

of paddling. The Alcona Tailwater or left side recreation site provides spectators the best opportunity to view the race as well as park safely.

Alcona Dam construction was completed in 1924, and it has an 8 megawatt capacity. The plant was originally named Bamfield Dam after a nearby road.

Marathon parking passes at Loud Dam. Spectators can utilize the Five Channels Dam site, which is located a short distance downriver, where highway M-65 crosses over the AuSable River.

Loud Dam construction was completed in 1913, and it has a 4 megawatt capacity.

Loud Dam Loud Dam is the third portage along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:20 a.m. The river hydro plant is named after Ed Loud, a local lumber baron who owned much of the land along the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda.

Consumers Energy purchased the property directly from Mr. Loud.

Entry to Loud Dam and parking is limited to team feeders and race officials who have official

Five Channels Not far below Loud Dam is the fourth portage in the Marathon, Five Channels — so named because the AuSable River contained five distinct channels where the dam was built. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:45 a.m. Five Channels is listed on the National Register of Historical Places because the camp used by workers building the facility served as a model for worker camps during construction of the Panama Canal.

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Cooke Dam Cooke Dam is listed on the National Register of Historical Places for holding the world record at the time for voltage and distance transmission, as it transmitted 140,000 volts for 125 miles to Flint.

Named for the banker who helped finance the project, Andrew Cooke, it is the fifth of six portages along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 8:45 a.m. Cooke Dam provides ample race viewing opportunities at the various upstream recreation sites and at the downstream recreation site.

Cooke Dam construction was completed in 1911, and it has a 6 megawatt capacity.

Foote Dam Savvy paddlers aiming for a strong finish at the AuSable River Canoe Marathon incorporate strategies to deal with stiff winds and waves that are often encountered in the water behind Foote Dam, the sixth and final portage along the Marathon route. This project is named for William A. Foote, founder of Consumers Energy. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 10 a.m. Foote Dam provides spectators a great opportunity to view the race from the recently renovated Foote Tailwater recreation site. Spectators are not allowed access to the dam and retaining wall.

Foote Dam construction was completed in 1918, and it has a 9 megawatt capacity.

WEYERHAEUSER IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 71st AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON FOR POSITION TIME TRIALS.

Program Book

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List Year 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

Winning Team Allen Carr & Delbert Case Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Ralph Sawyer & Tom Gildersleeve Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner Steve Kolonich & Larry Kindell Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner Ed Wojahn & Sanford McGuire Victor Kindell & Larry Kindell Ralph Sawyer & Ron Hohman Ron Hohman & Irvin Peterson Ralph Sawyer & Irvin Peterson Ralph Sawyer & Irvin Peterson Ron Hohman & Gerald Lauwers Ralph Sawyer & Stan Hall Ralph Sawyer & Stan Hall

Time 21:03:00 19:58:00 18:57:00 18:32:00 17:36:55 17:48:00 17:33:00 17:33:00 17:38:30 16:58:00 17:19:45 16:41:00 16:56:00 16:11:55 9:49:25* 15:25:17** 15:09:04** 15:06:05** 16:11:54 16:00:49 15:40:29** 15:31:43**

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Jack Davis 24:00 & Jay Stephan, Sr. Ted Engel 13:00 & Jay Stephan, Sr. Gerald DeFour 28:00 & Claude Gobiel Frank Bissonette 20:00 & Hugh Bissonette Robert Fullerton 42:00 & Hugh Bissonette Don Feldhauser 6:00 & Bernie Fowler Ralph W. Sawyer 38:00 & Eugene Roy Steve Kolonich 39:00 & Larry Kindell Steve Kolonich 15:00 & Larry Kindell Bernie Fowler 12:00 & John Stephan Irvin Peterson 14:00 & Tom Estes Ralph Sawyer 27:00 & Tom Gildersleeve Gary Kolonich 10:30 & Ed Wojahn Ralph Sawyer 10:30 & Irvin McGuire Ralph Sawyer 1:55 & Ed Wojahn Gerald Lauwers 17:08 & Stan Hall Gerald Lauwers 10:53 & Stan Hall Pat Widing 21:12 & Al Widing, Sr. Stan Hall 13:04 & Al Widing, Sr. LeRoy Widing 10:12 & Al Widing, Sr. Irvin Peterson 6:17 & Steve Peterson Norm Crerar 8:25 & Gib McEachron

NO RACE WAS HELD

Luc Robillard & John Baker 15:42:00 4:00 Claude Corbin & Jack Kolka Irvin Peterson & Jerry Kellogg 1971 15:36:40 3:20 Steve Peterson & Jack Kolka Jerry Kellogg & John Baker 1972 15:20:50 32:34 Luc Robillard & Jack Kolka Jerry Kellogg & John Buckley & 1973 14:56:20 31:19 Luc Robillard Stan Hall * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961. ** Two-day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda.) *** Race won as a result of a 10-minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28).

1970

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2552 S. I-75 Business Loop, Grayling (989) 745-6289 www.DeadBearBrewing.net Program Book

15

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Jerry Kellogg & Claude Corbin & 1974 14:40:09 35:08 Jeff Kellogg Serge Corbin Jerry Kellogg & Jay Stephan, Jr. & 1975 14:59:07 6:59 Jeff Kellogg Bob Welsch John Baker & Terry Jackman & 15:14:10 1976 13:10 John Schwartz Ken Brown Claude Corbin & Jerry Kellogg & 1977 15:17:42 5:00 Serge Corbin Jeff Kellogg John Baker & Claude Corbin & 1978 15:06:26 10:55 Jay Stephan, Jr. Serge Corbin Claude Corbin & John Baker & 1979 14:40:29 0:06 Serge Corbin Ken Brown John Baker & Terry Jackman & 1980 14:48:31 20:23 Ron Williams Ken Brown John Baker & Al Rudquist & 1981 14:29:01 21:14 Ken Brown Brett Stockton Butch Stockton & John Baker & 1982 14:38:27 5:01 Brett Stockton Tony Short Butch Stockton & John Baker & 1983 14:38:36 23:23 Brett Stockton Tony Short Butch Stockton & Tony Short & 1984 14:20:40 16:11 Solomon Carrière Brett Stockton Butch Stockton & Tony Short & 1985 14:35:53 7:23 Brett Stockton Steve Peterson Butch Stockton & Randy Drake & 1986 14:30:38 5:12 Brett Stockton Eric McNett Serge Corbin & Tony Short & 1987 14:34:32 9:03 Brett Stockton Eric McNett Serge Corbin & Randy Drake & 1988 14:20:00 4:01 Brett Stockton Tim Triebold Randy Drake & Jeff Kolka & 1989 14:38:18*** 3:09 Al Rudquist Bill Torongo Serge Corbin & Bruce Barton & 1990 14:43:35 1:31 Brett Stockton Solomon Carrière Serge Corbin & Jeff Kolka & 1991 14:33:30 1:33 Brett Stockton Bill Torongo Serge Corbin & Bruce Barton & 1992 14:51:46 1:24 Brett Stockton Tim Triebold Serge Corbin & Jeff Kolka & 1993 14:23:03 1:50 Solomon Carrière Bill Torongo Serge Corbin & Jeff Kolka & 1994 13:58:08 9:52 Solomon Carrière Bill Torongo Patrick Lynch & Jeff Kolka & 1995 14:20:40 4:02 Jim Harwood Bruce Barton Jeff Kolka & Patrick Lynch & 1996 14:04:05 37:34 Serge Corbin Jim Harwood Jeff Kolka & Al Rudquist & 1997 14:19:36 6:18 Serge Corbin Mike Vincent Jeff Kolka & Patrick Lynch & 1998 14:15:47 35:27 Serge Corbin Denis Marcouiller Jeff Kolka & Ken Kolonich & 1999 14:08:18 18:00 Serge Corbin Steve Kolonich Jeff Kolka & John Sullivan & 2000 14:48:00 14:32 Serge Corbin Louis Berthiaume * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961. ** Two-day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda.) *** Race won as a result of a 10-minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28).

Year

Canton, New York USA

Friday 5/4 – Rushton Tour

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Sunday 5/6 – C-2 Pro Marathon C-2 Amateur Marathon K-1 Special Rushton Relay Race/College Challenge

For information: www.slvpaddlers.org 16

Winning Team

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Time

Continued on Page 19

P r esen tin g the P r esen tin g S p on sor check to the 2 0 1 8 A uS ab le Riv er C an oe M ar athon is J ay J acob s, cen ter , C on sumer s E n er gy’ s commun ity af f air s man ager f or N or theaster n M ichigan .

A ccep tin g the sp on sor ship check ar e M ar athon G r aylin g V olun teer C ommittee C hair H eather Tait and Justin Griffith, Marathon Oscoda Volunteer Committee Chair. “Consumers Energy is p r oud to con tin ue our lon g- stan din g sup p or t of the A uS ab le Riv er C an oe M ar athon , an ex citin g f an - f ocused ev en t that highlights the b eautif ul n atur al r esour ces we hav e in Northern Michigan,” said Jacobs. “In addition this year, we are looking forward to enhancing the f estiv ities with our addition al sup p or t of the Rab ask a Race, which p r omises to p r ov ide an other av en ue of f un f or f an s of r iv er sp or ts.”

Program Book

17

18

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Continued from Page 16

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Jeff Kolka & Tony Short & 2001 15:06:48 8:58 Serge Corbin Denis Berthiaume Jeff Kolka & Mo Harwood, Jr. & 2002 15:04:56 5:26 Serge Corbin Matthew Rimer Jeff Kolka & Andrew Triebold & 2003 14:55:03 1:48 Serge Corbin Steve Lajoie Andrew Triebold & Jeff Kolka 2004 14:59:46 0:13 Steve Lajoie & Serge Corbin Jeff Kolka & Matthew Rimer & 2005 14:56:11 0:01 Serge Corbin Andrew Triebold Jim Harwood & Rodney Halstead & 2006 14:33:50 14:35 Allen Limberg Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Matt Streib & 2007 14:48:55 0:38 Matthew Rimer Steve Corlew Andrew Triebold & Matt Streib & 2008 14:09:06 23:25 Steve Lajoie Steve Kolonich Andrew Triebold & Matt Streib & 2009 14:17:42 11:36 Steve Lajoie Steve Corlew Andrew Triebold & Steve Corlew & 2010 14:17:29 14:08 Steve Lajoie Bill Torongo * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961. ** Two-day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda.) *** Race won as a result of a 10-minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28).

Year

Winning Team

Time

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Andrew Triebold & Rodney Halstead & 2011 14:41:00 17:32 Steve Lajoie Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Josh Sheldon & 2012 14:42:43 15:53 Steve Lajoie Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Nick Walton & 2013 14:20:24 12:08 Steve Lajoie Christophe Proulx Andrew Triebold & Nick Walton & 2014 14:36:18 8:06 Steve Lajoie Christophe Proulx Andrew Triebold & Mathieu Pellerin & 14:31.56 8.57 2015 Steve Lajoie Guillaume Blais Christophe Proulx & Andrew Triebold & 2016 14:29:26 0:01 Ryan Halstead Jacob DuBois Christophe Proulx & Steve Lajoie & 2017 14:18:45 0:01 Samuel Frigon Guillaume Blais * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961. ** Two-day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda.) *** Race won as a result of a 10-minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28).

Year

Winning Team

Time

#HupAllNight

Program Book

19

Anglers of the Au Sable

By Joe Hemming Preisident, Anglers of the Au Sable Thirty-one years ago, Anglers of the Au Sable (Anglers) was founded. Its first president was Rusty Gates, then owner of Gates Au Sable Lodge located on the banks of the Au Sable River. Anglers is an all-volunteer organization with approximately 1,200 members located not just in Michigan but in other states around the country. Anglers’ mission is “To preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River watershed for future generations of fly fishers,” and for the last 31 years we have done exactly that. Our organization covers the waters of the South Branch, East Branch and North Branch of the Au Sable River, not to mention the Main Branch from Grayling all the way to where the Au Sable empties out in Lake Huron, the same waters through which the canoe marathon will pass.

As part of our mission, for more than 20 years Anglers has engaged in a riverwide cleanup every year the weekend after Labor Day. At that time, members of Anglers and guests, some 300 strong, gather at Gates Au Sable Lodge for a group photograph before everyone ventures to various parts of the river to clean the river of trash. The amount of trash picked up annually at each

20

of these river cleanups is quite impressive, representing the collection of cans, containers, shoes, clothes and the like deposited from various overturned canoes and other river users through the course of a year. In these annual cleanups, we’ve even found such items as a sink, bags of marijuana, part of a car, knives and undergarments, particularly

bras. It is noteworthy that in more recent years, the amount of garbage being collected has decreased somewhat, a testament to those who clean up after themselves.

If you find yourself near the river Sept. 8 and looking for something fulfilling to do, check in at Gates Lodge at 10 a.m. that morning, pose for our group

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

picture, grab a garbage poker and a garbage bag and hit the river for some cleanup work. And it’s not all work. We will gather afterward to listen to some live music, eat brats and burgers with a favorite beverage and regale each other with tales of unusual items found in the river during the cleanup. It’s a good time. We hope to see you there.

Program Book

21

Healthy rivers require all paddles in the water Colby Chilcote Marketing Director, Huron Pines However we enjoy the AuSable River, we all flow toward a common goal — to preserve, maintain and protect these famed waters.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon shares this community vision and commitment, and relies on a symbiotic relationship with the pristine river.

“The World’s Toughest Spectator Sport” is the culmination of hundreds of hours of paddler training, months of race committee planning, generous sponsorship donations, enthusiastic spectator encouragement and unwavering community support. In addition to the many committed people who come together to make it happen, the race has an unsung hero that requires the same level of care and cooperation to do its job on race night and every day in between, and that’s the AuSable River.

To racers it’s a vehicle for speed and agility, a careful science to be studied and understood. For fishermen it’s a delicate web of predator and prey, of constant change and careful consideration. To others it’s a peaceful landscape, a place to relax and let time unwind. It means different things to different people at different seasons of the year.

Like the Marathon itself, the river’s quality and splendor are a result of connection and community. The AuSable is part of a vast ecosystem that includes the surrounding land that filters the water before it reaches the river, the food chain — from mayfly to brown trout to river otter — that’s supported by clean and connected river miles, the businesses and industries that rely on recreational access and pristine conditions and the people who are drawn back again and again for sport, hobby or

22

relaxation.

In addition to the natural systems that improve the function of the river, like the surrounding forests and gravel substrates, people also have an important role to play in protecting and restoring this beloved resource. It can be as simple as reducing bank erosion by using public access points to get in and out of the river or keeping pollutants out of the water by using phosphorus-free fertilizer or planting vegetation along your shoreline to filter out pollutants before they reach the water. There are a lot of measures we can take to be good stewards of the AuSable and all the places we’ve come to love for their beauty and enjoyment.

As a conservation nonprofit, Huron Pines plays a role in protecting and advocating for the water, land, wildlife and communities we serve throughout Northern Michigan. Our service area spans from the headwaters of the AuSable to the Lake Huron Coast, from the Saginaw Bay to the Mackinac Bridge. Every step of the way we rely on collaboration with local organizations, businesses, residents and city officials as well as state and federal agencies, foundations and corporations to accomplish our conservation goals.

Our projects include city stormwater assessments, landscape improvements, habitat restoration, culvert replacements and dam removals that help keep water clean and improve aquatic habitat by allowing fish and other animals to move freely up and downstream. Over the last decade we’ve successfully reconnected over 450 miles of upstream habitat through culvert improvements and dam removal. None of these projects were done alone, they all took planning, patience and

A b ov e, H ur on P in es C ommun ity Lead A b b y E r tel p lan ts stakes that will grow roots to fight erosion on the AuSable Riv er n ear M io. B elow is a comp leted r oad/ str eam cr ossin g p r oj ect wher e the E ast B r an ch of the A uS ab le Riv er in ter sects with K ar en Lak e Road outside of G r aylin g.

I mp r ov ed r oad/ str eam cr ossin gs can r educe sedimen t deposits in the river and allow fish and other aquatic an imals to mov e f r eely up an d down str eam.

commitment from local groups, government agencies and passionate individuals.

This work not only maintains natural resources and keeps water clean for paddling, swimming and fishing, it also supports a healthy

ecosystem for the plants and animals we share this space with.

The key to preserving the AuSable River and all our natural wonders is to, literally and metaphorically, keep paddling. Good luck, racers. Hup!

Huron Pines is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect the Great Lakes by conserving the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. We do this by connecting people and the outdoors through on-the-ground habitat restoration projects and community outreach. Learn more at huronpines.org.

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon

2006 Marilyn Wagner & Jay Stephan, Sr. 2007 Hugh Bissonette & Bernie Fowler

AUSABLE MARKET

2008 Butch Stockton & Harry Curley 2009 Ralph Sawyer & Al Widing, Sr. 2010 Frank and Peggy Smutek & Oscoda/AuSable Fire Dept. Water Rescue 2011 Stan Hall & John B. Cook 2012 John Baker & Ed Wojahn 2013 Serge Corbin & Bruce Myles 2014 Lynne Witte & Jack Kolka 2015 Larry Kindell & Larry Roberts 2016 Howard Brubaker & Réjean Huard 2017 Jerry Kellogg and Jeff Kellogg & The Gary Family

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Canoe Statistics

S

ince 2014, the canoe manufacturer and canoe model of each canoe raced in the Marathon has been recorded. These tables show the tallies of the canoe data that was collected. For a more detailed view of the information, please visit the Stats & Records section of the Marathon website, www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.

Manufacturer Total 2014 2015 2016 2017 Corbin 65 17 11 19 18 Crozier 67 16 14 19 18 Gillies 3 1 0 2 0 Jensen 1 0 0 0 1 Rimer 19 6 5 6 2 Savage River 157 37 44 42 34 Webb 1 0 0 0 1 Wenonah 24 4 8 6 6 Unknown 4 1 2 1 0

Model

Total 2014 2015 2016

Bullet Comp Cruiser Corbin Corbin 1995 Corbin 2010 Diller 16 Gillies GTO Hassel JD Pro JD Pro 2 JD Pro 2X P-1

3 1 45 24 13 3 21 1 14 54 66 2 1

0 0 12 0 3 0 7 0 4 15 18 0 0

0 0 20 1 0 0 5 0 5 14 19 0 0

1 0 13 7 3 2 7 0 1 16 16 1 0

2017 2 1 0 16 7 1 2 1 4 9 13 1 1

RCS Pro

1

0

0

1

0

V-1

73

18

15

21

19

V-1A

7

1

2

3

1

V-1M

12

4

3

3

2

Program Book

23

3rd edition of the R-9/Rabaska canoe race at the AuSable Canoe Marathon

By Martin Gervais Voyager canoes, known in Quebec as Rabaskas, are 25 feet long and 4 feet wide “freighter canoes,” originally utilized in the upper Great Lakes region by traders and settlers as early as the 1600s.

Beginning more than 30 years ago, Rabaska racing has become a fixture on the St-Maurice River in Quebec, the setting for la Classique Internationale de canots de la Mauricie – The Classic – the third stage of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. In the early 1990s, Rabaska racing was integrated into the festivities of la Classique, which is staged over the three-day Labor Day weekend in September.

The Rabaska races have been an integral part of the weekend-long celebration and a fan favorite ever since.

Nowadays, Rabaska canoes have evolved to be more adapted S in ce the 1 9 9 0 ’ s Rab ask a r aces hav e b een an in tegr al p ar t of the week en d- lon g celeb r ation to racing. They are made of light carbon fiber and their shape above an d a f an f av or ite at Q ueb ec’ s C lassiq ue I n ter n ation ale de can ots de la M aur icie - T he C lassic – the thir d stage of the T r ip le C r own of C an oe Racin g. water level changed to become more aerodynamic. Despite their big size, Rabaska canoes are moving as fast as the C-2 pro canoes in deep water. This sport is accessible to all kinds of people and can be practiced with a minimum of training.

As in C-2, some teams are very competitive — the battle for the first place is very intense — while other teams are mainly racing for the challenge of completing la Classique. During the longer races, members can relay each other as teams can count up to 15 members, with nine required to be in the canoe at all times, including a minimum of three women.

For the third consecutive year, Rabaska racing will be part of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

Competitors from Quebec will again be traveling to Michigan with their big canoes this year.

I n 2 0 1 8 , R9 / Rab ask a r acin g is mak in g a thir d ap p ear an ce at the A uS ab le M ar athon an d ev en ts Started as a “demonstration ar e ex p an din g than k s to in cr eased sp on sor ship sup p or t f r om C on sumer s E n er gy.

24

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

project” in 2016, Rabaska racing didn’t need that much to convince the fans and the Marathon committee that it’s a great add-on to the Marathon’s 70-year tradition.

Consumers Energy has increased its sponsorship support of the Marathon to help grow and improve Rabaska racing during the Marathon weekend.

“Consumers Energy is proud to continue our long-standing support of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, an exciting fan-focused event that highlights the beautiful natural resources we have in Northern Michigan,” said Jay Jacobs, Consumers Energy’s community affairs manager for Northeastern Michigan. “In addition this year, we are looking forward to enhancing the festivities with our additional support of the Rabaska Race, which promises to provide another avenue of fun for fans of river sports.”

Rabaska racing during the AuSable Marathon is a very important first step to grow the sport in Michigan. The Quebec racing association is proud to support the Michigan paddlers.

“We are very thrilled about racing at the Marathon again this year,” said Martin Gervais, president of the ACRQ – Quebec Rabaska Racing Association. “We

had lots of fun in the last two years. Everybody loved it and they are very anxious to come back to Michigan.”

“The Quebec Rabaska Racing Association is working hard to grow our sport in Quebec and we are willing to help grow the sport in Michigan as well,” Gervais continued. “The first step is done, and now we must keep on moving forward. Slowly but surely, that’s our mindset; but we would’t mind accelerating the growth! We are going to help other Michigan paddlers who would want to assemble their own teams in the future. Participation in Rabaska racing is great to learn paddling, and the C-2 pro class will only benefit from the growth of Rabaska in Michigan.”

The Rabaska race can also be followed and tracked on the GPS online mapping that is being utilized for the AuSable Canoe Marathon, which can be accessed on the Marathon website at www. ausablecanoemarathon.org.

For more information about Rabaska racing: • ACRQ (Association des coureurs en Rabaska du Québec) • Website — www.acrq.ca/acrq. html • Facebook — www.facebook. com/Rabaska

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Rab ask a can oe r acin g is f ocused ar oun d the team con cep t — sev en or mor e p addler s wor k in g together in con cer t.

Program Book

25

J oin in the C on sumer s E n er gy Rab ask a E x p er ien ce, at the M io D am sp illway f r om 8 - 9 : 3 0 a.m., S atur day J uly 2 8 .

Join in the Rabaska Experience!

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26

Paddle in a Rabaska – No experience needed!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to ride & paddle in one these impressive 25’ long “freighter canoes” with Rabaska racing team paddlers from Quebec and Michigan

To participate in the Consumers Energy Rabaska Experience, meet at the Mio Dam spillway

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

2018 Rabaska Racing Events Schedule Presented by:

F r iday J uly 2 7 – G r aylin g: Approximately 4:30 p.m. NEW EVENT. For the very first time, Rabaska paddlers will do a demo race from the start line of the Marathon to Mio Dam. The Rabaska paddlers will start for Mio immediately following conclusion of the Marathon Time Trial Sprints.

S atur day J uly 2 8 - T wo ev en ts in M io!

• T he Rab ask a E x p er ien ce: Meet at the Mio Dam Spillway from 9-10:30 a.m. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to ride and paddle in one these impressive 25’ long “freighter canoes” with Rabaska racing team paddlers from Quebec and Michigan. Fans are also invited to see the canoes and to meet and chat with the paddlers.

®

• M io P on d Racin g A ction : Beginning at 11 a.m., see Rabaska racing action as the teams paddle a looped course between Mio Dam and Camp Ten Bridge.

Spectators can view the action from along the Mio Pond shoreline, and the Camp Ten Bridge area provides a great view.

Sunday, July 29 – Five Channels Dam at 6 a.m.: The Official Rab ask a Race of the 2 0 1 8 A uS ab le Riv er C an oe M ar athon .

OFFICIAL RABASKA RACE For the third consecutive year, Rabaska canoes will race from Consumers Energy’s Five Channels Dam (south of Glennie on M-65) to Oscoda’s finish line. Following the start, in the Five Channels Dam Pond, the big canoes will paddle one long buoyturn loop in the pond before portaging the dam and heading downstream to Oscoda. Fans will also have excellent viewing opportunities at Consumer Energy’s Cooke and Foote dams and at the Oscoda finish Line, where the Rabaskas are expected to arrive at approximately 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rabaska race can also be followed and tracked on the GPS online mapping that is being utilized for the AuSable Canoe Marathon, which can be accessed on the Marathon website at www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.

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27

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989-254-0931

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Mixed Division Split Time Records

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2017

0:44:14

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Stephan Bridge

2017

1:17:29

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Wakeley Bridge

2017

1:46:50

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

McMasters Bridge

2017

2:44:11

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Parmalee Bridge

2017

3:49:01

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Camp Ten Bridge

2017

4:53:36

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Mio Dam

2017

5:18:38

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

McKinley

2017

7:06:39

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

4001 Bridge

2017

7:59:41

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Alcona Dam

2017

8:37:46

Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Loud Dam

2017 10:31:07 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Five Channels Dam 2017 10:57:26 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41) Cooke Dam

2017 12:00:33 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Foote Dam

2017 13:14:35 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Oscoda

2017 14:37:45 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

2nd Half

2009

7:26:08

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

P eop le gather alon g the b an k s at M cM aster s B r idge as they wait f or the can oer s to ar r iv e dur in g the 2 0 1 7 M ar athon . eriC YOUNG/OSCODa COUNTY HeralD

Canoes • Kayaks Tubes • Paddle Boards Hours of Operations M-F: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat/Sun: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

989-341-4313

234 State St., Oscoda nccanoe@gmail.com

28

Mixed Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Year Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2017 0:44:14 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Stephan Bridge

2017 0:33:15 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Wakeley Bridge

2017 0:29:21 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

McMasters Bridge

2017 0:57:21 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Parmalee Bridge

2017 1:04:50 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Camp Ten Bridge

2017 1:04:35 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Mio Dam

2017 0:25:02 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

McKinley

2017 1:48:01 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

4001 Bridge

2017 0:53:02 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)

Alcona Dam

2009 0:37:36

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Loud Dam

1988 1:51:21

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:25:17

Rebecca Davis (25) & Mike Davis (24)

Cooke Dam

2009 1:00:33

Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Foote Dam

2009 1:12:07

Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Oscoda

2009 1:18:21

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Program Book

29

Course Map - Grayling to Oscoda Follow LIVE Results during race night at www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

Alcohol is prohibited on Consumers Energy property, including at the dams along the Marathon route. Also, no loitering will be allowed when crossing dams. These implementations are due to strict Homeland Security Procedures. Please be respectful of the people that are enforcing these rules and procedures.

Crawford County-Stephan, Wakeley and McMasters Bridges will be closed to all vehicle traffic during the race. Spectator vehicles will not be allowed to cross the river at these bridges.

Oscoda County-Parmalee Bridge will be closed to spectators but passable for vehicles. No portable lighting will be available. If you are viewing the race from here, there are good sites along the campground on the north side or at the public access site on the south.

Mio Dam-Spectators are not allowed on the spillway. There is a walkway from the MDOT parking area, south of M-72, under the bridge to the dam. You will not have to walk across the highway to get to the dam. Spectators must stay clear of the pathway and the put-in areas as the teams portage Mio Dam. 4001 Bridge-The U.S. Forest Service may issue tickets for parking in the lot at the boat launch site without the valid parking pass.

Alcona Dam-Only feeders and officials will be allowed into the dam parking lot. Spectators should park in the field on the north side of the river and walk across the bridge to the portage area.

Loud Dam-There will only be parking for feeders on one side of the road leading to the dam.

Only feeders and officials will be allowed into the dam parking lot.

Five Channels-Pedestrians and vehicles will not be permitted on the new bridge, but spectators are allowed on the old bridge. Parking in the dam parking lot is for feeders only. Spectators can park in a large field at the top of the hill on the south side of the river.

Whirlpool near Oscoda-Everyone must park in the parking lot-not at the boat launch. The U.S. Forest Service will issue tickets at this area.

Foote Dam-The dam will be closed to spectators but you can view the race from the new fishing platforms across the river.

Leader’s Arrival Time* Map Location 1. Burton’s Landing 9:40 p.m.

2. Stephan Bridge 10:15 p.m.

3. Wakeley Bridge 10:45 p.m.

4. McMasters Bridge 11:45 p.m.

5. Parmalee Bridge 12:45 a.m.

6. Camp 10 Bridge 1:55 a.m.

7. Mio Dam 3:15 a.m.

8. McKinley Bridge 4:00 a.m.

9. 4001 Bridge 5:00 a.m.

10. Alcona Dam 5:30 a.m.

11. Loud Dam 7:20 a.m.

12. Five Channels Dam 7:45 a.m.

13. Cooke Dam 8:45 a.m.

14. Foote Dam 10:00 a.m.

15. Oscoda (finish) 11:15 a.m. *All times are approximate

EMERGENCY NUMBERS - DIAL 911 CRAWFORD COUNTY SHERIFF OSCODA COUNTY SHERIFF ALCONA COUNTY SHERIFF

photos by Brian Connon & Mark Bialek

(989) 348-6341 (989) 826-3214 (989) 724-6271

HALE AREA POLICE IOSCO COUNTY SHERIFF OSCODA AREA POLICE

(989) 469-8241 (989) 362-6164 (989) 739-9111

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CONSUMERS ENERGY FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIPS, COOPERATION & USE OF THEIR FACILITIES.

"TOUGHER THAN NAILS" SPRINTS AT GRAYLING CIT Y pARK ON SAT. 9A.M. TO 2 P.M.1 6 P.M. C -1 RACE FROM BoRCHERS TO BuRTONS LANDING AND SuN. AT 9 A.M. TowN TO McMASTERB JULY 21ST & 22ND, 2018

32

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Loss of a legend

AuSable River Canoe Marathon icon ‘Amazing’ Al Widing Sr. passes away at the age of 92

By Caleb Casey Crawford County Avalanche Managing Editor Al Widing Sr. of Mio, an AuSable River Canoe Marathon icon, the record-holder for both most starts in AuSable Marathon history and oldest finisher, and perhaps the event’s most popular paddler of all time, passed away last week. He was 92 years old.

“He set an example for all of us,” said Steve Southard of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Committee. “The folks that took the time to know him, so quiet, so modest, so good with kids, so good with people in general. What a love for the Marathon, what a love for the river.”

Widing was beloved by Marathon fans. He is known for his unprecedented Marathon longevity; Widing is the current record-holder for most total AuSable River Canoe Marathon starts with 41, oldest paddler to start the Marathon (age 89), and oldest paddler to finish the race (age 87), according to AuSable Marathon records.

“I was always impressed with Al’s quiet strength and humility,” said Marcia Koppa, a Marathon volunteer. “He was a competitor, no doubt about that. One with a big heart. He could walk out of his canoe at the end of the race and give one the impression that he was ready to paddle back upstream.”

Widing’s last AuSable River Canoe Marathon was in 2014; he raced with his son, Al Widing Jr.

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!

A l W idin g p addles in the 2 0 0 7 A uS ab le Riv er C an oe M ar athon .

Mark Bialek

Widing Sr. was 89 years old at the time. His most recent AuSable Marathon finish was in 2012 (with Hailey McMahon); he was 87.

It was normal for Widing to get the loudest cheers at pre-race paddler introductions and at a

variety of viewing locations throughout the AuSable Marathon.

Holly Reynolds, who’s raced in the Marathon several times, shared this story from 2011, when

Program Book

See AL, 34

SEPTIC MASONRY GRAYLING, MI 989-348-8411 33

Al FROM PAGE 33

Widing was with Rick Joy: “Gloria (Wesley) and I raced women’s for the first time together in 2011, and through the night tried to keep close tabs on all the competition. After every bridge we’d quietly paddle and count in our heads until the cheer for the next competitor to gauge our progress,” Reynolds said.

“After going under the bridge at McMasters, I remember counting, after a minute or so you could hear a loud cheer, and another few minutes another fainter cheer, etc. After several minutes, the loudest cheer yet came; it seemed almost deafening. Gloria and I just laughed, and said in unison, ‘Al!’” “A true competitor, and a definite crowd favorite, he will truly be missed,” Reynolds said.

Widing’s best finish placement during his 41 Marathons was second, a feat he accomplished in three consecutive years: 1964 (with Pat Widing), 1965 (with Stan Hall) and 1966 (with LeRoy Widing). He was 39, 40 and 41 years old, respectively, during those three races, according to AuSable Marathon records.

Widing owns the record for best finish time for the race for Professional Division male paddlers at 16 different ages: 65 and 66, 72-78, 80 -84, and 86 and 87.

“As a student of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon history, it was an honor to have personally known this Marathon legend and have always considered both Al and Al Jr. as friends,” said John Cook and Janice Cook. “In addition to being one of America’s greatest senior athletes, Al became the leading ‘Ambassador of the Marathon.’ Al was far more than a great paddler with over 300 canoe races to his credit.”

The Cooks noted Widing’s military service for the United States during World War II. “He fought in (World War II) as a sailor aboard (the) USS Aaron Ward and almost lost his life in the greatest sea battle of the war,”

34

the Cooks said.

Southard said before he learned about Widing’s experiences in the war he often wondered how Widing could be so calm during all of those Marathons.

“Paddling in the Marathon was dramatic and traumatic for some paddlers. (Al) just went out and did his thing year after year after year. I wondered for a long time if there was an event, something, for which put the Marathon in perspective for Al,” Southard said.

“Eventually I found out,” Southard said, referring to Widing’s service on the USS Aaron Ward during World War II, and the damage that the Aaron Ward sustained in an attack by the Japanese. “(Al) wasn’t just a great Marathoner. He paid a great price for his country,” Southard said.

The Cooks knew Widing Sr. as a family man.

“Al married Dorothy, the love of his life, whom he had known since second grade. He loved his family,” the Cooks said. “Janice and I would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Al’s six children and their spouses, 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, his two sisters and the 21 different individuals that were his Marathon partners during those 41 trips between Grayling and Oscoda.”

Sean Casey, who paddled with Widing in the AuSable Marathon twice (2007 and 2008), the General Clinton Canoe Regatta once and la Classique once, said: “You can’t have known Al and not known Dot. They were perfect for each other.”

“Al overcame many setbacks in his life, starting with the death of his father, Florin Harold Howard, before Al’s sixth birthday. Each difficulty he faced in life and his ability to keep moving forward were the trademark qualities that made Al one of the elite canoe paddlers in the history of the sport,” the Cooks said.

“He survived some pretty crazy injuries, including a broken back,” Casey said. “He was pretty much fearless.”

In addition to being one of the most recognizable paddlers in the

history of the Marathon, Widing also worked behind the scenes for the sport of canoe racing.

“Al was one of three gentlemen credited with starting the Michigan Canoe Racing Association and served as its second president. Al was president of the MCRA when the Canoers’ Memorial Monument was built on the high banks of the AuSable River. The crossed paddles on the top of the monument were designed, built, donated and maintained by Al,” the Cooks said.

According to obituaries, Widing Sr. was born on Feb. 12, 1925 and he passed away on Jan. 11, 2018.

“Al was just one month short of reaching his 93rd birthday. We are thankful that every person in our extended family had an opportunity to meet ‘Amazing Al,’” the Cooks said. “It is unlikely that some of Al’s Marathon records will ever be matched.”

Widing raced with people of many different ages and experience levels during his more than 40 years of competing.

“I paddled the AuSable Marathon three times with Al: 1999, 2005 and 2006. We still hold the seniors record to this day that we set in 1999. I believe Al was 74 and I was 57 at that

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

time. Al said that was his fastest time for the Marathon and he did it at age 74. We were known as Amazing Al and Grandpa Bob,” said AuSable Marathon competitor Bob Bradford.

“Al and Dot were like the mom and dad to me of paddling. Al was always there to train with me anytime I needed a partner. I was privileged to race (la) Classique two times with Al and many Michigan races. My favorite quote of Al: ‘Remember when See WIDING, 36

Program Book

35

Albert C. Widing, Sr. ‘Amazing Al’ Total Pro Starts: 41 Total Pro Finishes: 33 Pro Finish %: 80.49% Best Finish: 2nd (3 times) Best Time: 15:21:22 Career Span: 60 years Career Points: 770

Wins: 0 Top 5’s: 9 Top 10’s: 11 # of Partners: 21 Average Partner Age: 37.4 Sum of Finish Times: 547:41:11 (22 Days, 19

Hours, 41 Minutes, 11 Seconds) Iron Paddler Award Earned: 1968 (5th person to earn it) Steel Paddler Award Earned: 1997 (1st person to earn it)

1 - 1955 - Canoe #15 - Age 30 - DNF at McKinley Bridge - LeRoy Widing (Age 25) 2 - 1956 - Canoe #12 - Age 31 - 18:17:00 - 5th Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 26) 3 - 1957 - Canoe #5 - Age 32 - DNF at Alcona Dam - LeRoy Widing (Age 27) 4 - 1958 - Canoe #11 - Age 33 - 17:13:00 - 3rd Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 28) 5 - 1959 - Canoe #13 - Age 34 - 17:19:00 - 4th Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 29) 6 - 1960 - Canoe #4 - Age 35 - 16:49:43 - 4th Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 30) 7 - 1963 - Canoe #4 - Age 38 - 15:38:50 - 3rd Place - Karl Ketter (Age 18) [Two-Day Race] 8 - 1964 - Canoe #2 - Age 39 - 15:27:17 - 2nd Place - Pat Widing (Age 28) [Two-Day Race] 9 - 1965 - Canoe #3 - Age 40 - 16:24:58 - 2nd Place - Stan Hall (Age 30) 10 - 1966 - Canoe #14 - Age 41 - 16:11:01 - 2nd Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 36) More of Al Widing’s stats on Page 38

Widing FROM PAGE 34

that cut was open?’ Or we would say, ‘that is where Al would paddle,’ through the shallow water. He was determined to always paddle his course,” said Lynne Witte, a paddler who’s been in the AuSable River Canoe Marathon 38 times. “Very sweet, vibrant individual to always be remembered.”

Casey also said Widing was known for sticking to his own paths. Casey paddled with Widing during his first attempt at racing in the la Classique — a three-day/ three-stage race on Quebec’s St. Maurice River conducted during Labor Day weekend — and it “was an eye opener,” he said. The paddling teams started in a group, and then split, with some canoes going left and others going right.

Widing offered a different plan.

“He wanted to go right down the middle, so we did,” Casey said. “We did pretty good that day. No portages. High teens, early 20s for most of the first day.”

Casey said Widing had a knee injury when he paddled with

36

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

him during one of the Marathons and had a difficult time with the running start and the portages.

“We basically had to walk (during the start) the second year I raced the Marathon with him.

We were one of the last teams in the water. Once we hit the water I think we passed 30-some teams before Burton’s. It was ridiculous,” Casey said.

Casey said Widing was a quiet mentor, and taught him a lot.

“He wasn’t much for coaching like talking, it was just hours of paddling,” Casey said. “He helped me to get a lot more efficient, how to drop the stroke rate and still keep a good speed.

He helped me go with my gut sometimes. You don’t always have to follow the team in front of you.”

“He was somebody I could look up to. He was humble, an all-around good guy. I never really met anyone like him before. He was one of a kind,” Casey said.

“He was the kind of guy who wouldn’t want to be the stuff of legends, but it’s probably going to happen anyway. He deserves to be remembered,” Casey said.

Program Book

37

Stats continued from Page 36 11 - 1967 - Canoe # 5 - Age 42 - 16:28:36 - 5th Place - Cecil Lame (Age 28) [Two-Day Race] 12 - 1968 - Canoe # 8 - Age 43 - 16:28:00 - 6th Place - Ed Adams (Age 35) [Two-Day Race] 13 - 1970 - Canoe #14 - Age 45 - DNF at Parmalee Bridge - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 17) 14 - 1982 - Canoe #14 - Age 57 - DNF at Alcona Dam - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 29) 15 - 1984 - Canoe #9 - Age 59 - DNF at Alcona Dam - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 31) 16 - 1987 - Canoe #9 - Age 62 - DNF at Oscoda - Nathan Widing (Age 26) [Unofficial Finisher, 18:41:03-17th, Missed Cutoff by 0:06:31] 17 - 1988 - Canoe #9 - Age 63 - 17:01:28 - 8th Place - Nathan Widing (Age 27) 18 - 1989 - Canoe #9 - Age 64 - 17:06:58 - 13th Place - Rich Rowbotham (Age 37) 19 - 1990 - Canoe #35 - Age 65 - 16:01:05 - 13th Place - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 37) 20 - 1991 - Canoe #9 - Age 66 - 15:35:00 - 13th Place - Grant Spalding (Age 27) 21 - 1992 - Canoe #9 - Age 67 - 16:11:59 - 18th Place - Fritz Lamm (Age 20) 22 - 1993 - Canoe #09 - Age 68 - 15:58:58 - 19th Place - Fritz Lamm (Age 21) 23 - 1994 - Canoe #09 - Age 69 - 16:43:35 - 26th Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 64) 24 - 1995 - Canoe #09 - Age 70 - 17:25:19 - 36th Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 65) 25 - 1996 - Canoe #09 - Age 71 - 16:51:47 - 31st Place - Forest Haines (Age 58) 26 - 1997 - Canoe #09 - Age 72 - 16:53:30 - 32nd Place - LeRoy Widing (Age 67) 27 - 1998 - Canoe #09 - Age 73 - 16:16:50 - 17th Place - Joe Pollock (Age 39) 28 - 1999 - Canoe #09 - Age 74 - 15:21:22 - 15th Place - Robert Bradford (Age 56) 29 - 2000 - Canoe #09 - Age 75 - 16:47:20 - 28th Place - Joe Pollock (Age 41) 30 - 2001 - Canoe #35 - Age 76 - 16:40:55 - 18th Place - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 48) 31 - 2002 - Canoe #09 - Age 77 - 16:49:18 - 29th Place - Bernie Tuszynski (Age 45) 32 - 2003 - Canoe #09 - Age 78 - 16:40:58 - 29th Place - Don Brooks (Age 34) 33 - 2004 - Canoe #09 - Age 79 - DNF at Camp Ten Bridge - Jerry Killingbeck (Age 35) 34 - 2005 - Canoe #09 - Age 80 - 16:17:31 - 22nd Place - Robert Bradford (Age 62)

38

35 - 2006 - Canoe #09 - Age 81 - 16:09:06 - 29th Place - Robert Bradford (Age 63) 36 - 2007 - Canoe #09 - Age 82 - 16:27:37 - 26th Place - Sean Casey (Age 28) 37 - 2008 - Canoe #09 - Age 83 - 16:17:39 - 32nd Place - Sean Casey (Age 29) 38 - 2009 - Canoe #09 - Age 84 - 16:22:21 - 45th Place - Ray Quick (Age 54) 39 - 2011 - Canoe #09 - Age 86 - 16:50:43 - 31st Place - Rick Joy (Age 52) 40 - 2012 - Canoe #09 - Age 87 - 18:32:27 - 57th Place - Hailey McMahon (Age 21) 41 - 2014 - Canoe #09 - Age 89 - DNF at Cooke Dam - Al Widing, Jr. (Age 61)

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Women's Division Split Time Records

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1994

0:48:24

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Stephan Bridge

1994

1:24:51

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Wakeley Bridge

1994

1:57:38

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McMasters Bridge

1994

2:58:36

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Parmalee Bridge

1994

4:04:40

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994

5:12:24

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam

1994

5:39:18

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McKinley

1994

7:31:30

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

4001 Bridge

1994

8:25:29

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Alcona Dam

1994

9:05:48

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

1994 11:02:15

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Five Channels Dam 1994 11:29:33

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1994 12:36:41

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Foote Dam

2017 13:52:40

Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

Oscoda

2017 15:17:39

Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

2nd Half

2017

Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

7:39:14

• ustom raming • ustom Ma ing • rt Gallery nd more

Good Luc Paddlers

a 116 . tate t., Oscoda, MI (989) 739-7060 sharon tysigns.com

The Tradition Continues T he team of C hr istop he P r oulx an d S amuel F r igon lead the field at the end of last year’s Leman style start. eriC YOUNG/OSCODa COUNTY HeralD

Women’s Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Year Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1994 0:48:24 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Stephan Bridge

1994 0:36:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Wakeley Bridge

2017 0:32:33 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

McMasters Bridge

1994 1:00:58 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Parmalee Bridge

1994 1:06:04 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994 1:07:44 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam

2017 0:26:27 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

McKinley

1994 1:52:12 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

4001 Bridge

2013 0:53:29

Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

Alcona Dam

2011 0:39:08

Holly Reynolds (31) & Gloria Wesley (51)

Loud Dam

1994 1:56:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Five Channels Dam 2017 0:25:59 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43) Cooke Dam

2017 1:02:29 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

Foote Dam

2017 1:14:34 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)

Oscoda

2017 1:24:59 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43) Program Book

30 M-55 Tawas City (989) 362-4449

Good Luck Keith & Jerry!

See you Wojahn down the river!

39

40

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Masters Division Split Time Records Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1999

0:42:41

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Stephan Bridge

1999

1:14:53

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Wakeley Bridge

1999

1:43:20

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McMasters Bridge

1999

2:39:04

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1999

3:42:22

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Camp Ten Bridge

1999

4:47:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam

1999

5:11:14

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McKinley

1999

6:55:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge

1999

7:45:49

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Alcona Dam

1999

8:22:12

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

1999 10:11:47

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Five Channels Dam 1999 10:35:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1999 11:36:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Foote Dam

1999 12:47:57

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda

1999 14:08:18

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

2nd Half

1999

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

7:13:08

A ll that can b e seen acr oss the M io P on d ar e the lights f r om the can oes b ef or e they ar r iv e f or their p or tage dur in g last year ’ s M ar athon . eriC YOUNG/OSCODa COUNTY HeralD

Masters Division Point-to-Point Time Records Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1999

0:42:41

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Stephan Bridge

1999

0:32:12

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Wakeley Bridge

1999

0:28:27

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McMasters Bridge

1999

0:55:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1999

1:03:18

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Camp Ten Bridge

1999

1:04:48

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam

1999

0:24:04

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McKinley

1999

1:43:56

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge

1999

0:50:39

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Alcona Dam

1999

0:36:23

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Loud Dam

1990

1:49:13

John Baker (48) & Jeff Kellogg (45)

Five Channels Dam 1999

0:23:57

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Cooke Dam

1999

1:00:26

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Foote Dam

1999

1:11:47

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda

2009

1:18:21

Bruce Barton (52) & Connie Cannon (48) Program Book

41

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Foote Dam on the Au Sable River turns 100 Foote Dam, known by AuSable River Canoe Marathon fans as the last portage of the race, and Tippy Dam on the Manistee River, this year join seven Consumers Energy hydro plants that have achieved 100 years of continuous operation: Cooke, Five Channels, Loud and Mio dams on the Au Sable River; Croton and Rogers dams on the Muskegon River; and Webber Dam on the Grand River.

“Our heritage as a generator of electricity began along our state’s pristine rivers, which have provided clean, reliable and renewable energy for over a century. Foote and Tippy dams have played an important role in that history,” said Bill Schoenlein, manager of hydro and renewable operations for Consumers Energy.

Foote Dam was named in honor of Consumers Energy founder William A. Foote, who died suddenly from a heart attack three years before the dam was completed. The dam is located 9 miles west of Lake Huron in Oscoda Township on the Au Sable River and is surrounded by the magnificent Huron-Manistee National Forests. It was the fifth dam built

by Consumers Energy on the Au Sable River between 1911 and 1924.

The dam, which was under construction during World War I, was completed in 1918, the year the war ended. At the time, it was common to install horizontal shaft units in the powerhouses; however, three vertical direct connected turbine-generators were installed at Foote. The simplified design proved to be more efficient.

In terms of capacity, Foote Dam is small (9 megawatts). Its

operation has been classified as re-regulation since the issuance of the 1994 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.

Since Foote is the most downstream dam on the Au Sable River, the re-regulation aspect of its operation is designed to adjust the river flow coming out of the dam to mimic the river flow as if the dams on the river were not in place. This function is accomplished based on formulas that require data from various river gauges throughout the river system and sets the parameters for the amount of water that is allowed to exit the dam. This concept also allows for maintaining the water level of Foote Pond behind the dam.

Foote Dam Pond encompasses 1,824 acres, is 40 feet deep at its deepest point and is well known both locally and regionally for its fishery and boating opportunities.

In 2013, Consumers Energy redeveloped its popular downstream fishing site to feature four fishing decks and an ADA accessible walkway. The access site is operated by the MDNR under a lease agreement with Consumers Energy. Besides trout, anglers can land salmon, steelhead, walleye and various pan fish at this facility.

Recreationally, Foote is a premier facility providing numerous activities, including canoeing, wildlife viewing, sightseeing and camping. Paddlers can park their vehicles and launch their canoes/kayaks below Foote Dam and go down the river to Lake Huron, enjoying spectacular views and stopping to picnic or swim. Foote also is the last portage and major milestone for

paddlers who are involved in the 120-mile-long Au Sable River Canoe Marathon.

The U.S. Forest Service Foote Dam Pond Overlook, sometimes called Eagles Nest Overlook, offers panoramic views of the Au Sable River and Foote Dam Pond. From there, visitors can see bald eagles, deer, the endangered Kirtland’s warbler and other

Program Book

wildlife. It’s also a magnificent spot to view fall colors.

River Road National Scenic Byway, a paved highway that parallels the picturesque Au Sable River, follows the southern shore of Foote Dam Pond. Old Orchard Park, one of the largest campgrounds in Northeast Michigan, is located along the byway and overlooks the pond.

43

2017 Results (989) 348-2000

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• D E LI V E RI E S : Rx' s can be deliv ered to you r home or w ork. O ne free monthly deliv ery if enrolled in SY NC RX prog ram.

MED- DRO P B O X : C ontrolled & non- controlled dru g disposal for expired or u nu sed medications.

• M E D C E N T E R M ON T H LY P I LL B OX : L icensed staff can fill box for you at a fee.

• LOA N C LOS E T : Wheelchairs, w alkers, elev ated toilet seats, cru tches, bed rails, and more loaned ou t for short term needs at no charg e.

• iM E D I C A RE : Medicare Part- D plan searches at no charg e. Are you in the rig ht plan? C heck w ith u s to be su re. Du al elig ibile patients can chang e plans monthly.

• S E N I OR & M I LI T A RY D I S C OU N T : 5 % off non- prescription medications.

We Work For You!

We don’t work for insurance or pharmaceutical companies.

We promise to work with your doctor to find the best product available that your insurance will pay for, in order for you to get the best possible outcome.

From Start to Finish, We’ve Got you Covered!

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July 24, 2018

Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st 32nd

Paddlers

July 24, 2018 Fastest Time Time Rank

Steve Lajoie & Guillaume Blais 1:15.02 Christophe Proulx & Kyle Stonehouse 1:15.97 Adam Gelinas & Patrick Madden 1:15.48 Mike Davis & Weston Willoughby 1:16.63 Nick Walton & Matt Meersman 1:16.86 Andy Triebold & Mary Schlimmer 1:17.03 Michael Schlimmer & Joseph 1:18.20 Schlimmer Paul Olney & JoAnn Olney 1:27.00 Shane MacDowell & Matt Rudnitsky 1:17.37 Trevor Robinson & Bill Torongo 1:21.06 Sarah Lessard & Simon Dessureault 1:22.44 Phil Millspaugh & Mike Fries 1:24.48 Shawn Spallinger & Chase Spallinger 1:24.92 Fred Mills & Rodger Moak 1:26.50 Luc Mercier & René Joly 1:27.15 Keith Wojahn & Jerry Killingbeck 1:32.06 Tim Sheldon & Anthony Massicotte 1:22.35 Sean Casey & Jon Webb 1:23.38 Rod Elliott & Rod Matthews 1:26.31 David Armstrong & Karen Febey 1:29.14 Jeff Matthews & Jordan Jamison 1:30.20 Rebecca Sutter & Roger Henry 1:32.32 Fritz Hansen & Jaya Elleson 1:32.85 Rick Gillings & Brian Wallace 1:46.46 Yves Proulx & Jérémie Fortin 1:23.17 Stephen Miller & Seth Miller 1:26.93 David Sennett & Ashley Cary 1:31.13 Maria Schilling & Io Harberts 1:31.00 Gloria Wesley & Gary Aprea 1:32.60 Judi Clark & Rod Clark 1:33.14 Tommy Cramer & Dylan Kirk DNF-Tip ~BYE~ -

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

1 3 2 4 5 6

$500 $300 $200 $200 $150 $150

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$150

19 7 9 11 14 15 17 20 25 10 13 16 21 22 26 28 30 12 18 24 23 27 29 31 -

$150 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 -

July 24, 2018

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Professional Division Split Time Records

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2014

0:41:26

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 1993

1:12:56

Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

Wakeley Bridge 1993

1:41:29

Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

McMasters Bridge

1996

2:38:17

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Parmalee Bridge

1996

3:40:00

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge

1996

4:42:55

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam

1996

5:06:31

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

McKinley

1996

6:50:13

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

4001 Bridge

1996

7:40:49

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

1996

Alcona Dam

8:17:21

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Loud Dam

1996 10:06:47

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Five Channels Dam

1996 10:30:37

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Cooke Dam

1996 11:31:07

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Foote Dam

1994 12:41:02

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

Oscoda

1994 13:58:08

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

2nd Half

1994

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

7:01:54

#HupAllNight Checkpoints Burton's Landing

Professional Division Point-to-Point Records

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

2014 0:41:26

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 2017 0:31:24

Steve Lajoie (41) & Guillaume Blais (31)

Wakeley Bridge 1993 0:28:21

Tony Short (29) & Scott McKenzie (35)

McMasters Bridge

1999 0:55:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1996 1:01:43

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge

1996 1:02:55

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam

1975 0:22:05

Jerry Kellogg (31) & Jeff Kellogg (30)

McKinley

1996 1:43:42

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

4001 Bridge

2014 0:48:55

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Alcona Dam

2017 0:35:31

Christophe Proulx (22) & Samuel Frigon (21)

Loud Dam

1987 1:43:10

Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Five Channels Dam

2010 0:23:06

Josh Taylor (31) & Matt Meersman (33)

Cooke Dam

1986 0:57:13

Randy Drake (32) & Eric McNett (31)

Foote Dam

1987 1:08:11

Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Oscoda

1991 1:15:32

Serge Corbin (34) & Brett Stockton (28) Program Book

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Consumers Energy stays true to roots with new clean energy goals

River hydro dams important to energy provider’s past and future

Consumers Energy is helping keep Michigan’s water and air clean by increasing the use of natural resources such as wind, water and sun to power homes and businesses.

The Great Lakes State’s largest energy provider earlier this year announced its goals of phasing out the use of coal to produce electricity, reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent and powering Michigan with 40 percent renewable energy and energy storage all by 2040.

“Our actions speak louder than words and we have a track record of doing more than is required.

These goals represent our further commitment to leave Michigan far better than we found it, because we live here, too,” said Patti Poppe, president and CEO of Consumers Energy & CMS Energy.

Consumers Energy also set new short-term goals to use less water in non-hydro generating facilities, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and continue to protect and enhance Michigan’s land. These commitments come naturally as the company has been providing clean, renewable electricity produced using the Au Sable River and other waterways for more than 100 years. Mio Dam, the first portage for Marathon racers, was named to the Hydro Hall of Fame in 2017. Foote Dam is turning 100 this year.

“The dams along the Au Sable River allowed rapid expansion of Michigan cities and towns and led to engineering breakthroughs in dam construction technology,” said Bill Schoenlein, Consumers Energy’s manager of hydro and renewable generation.

Even before announcing the new Clean Energy Breakthrough Goals, Consumers Energy’s commitment

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to producing clean energy and protecting the environment was being recognized. It ranked as the number-one company in Michigan in Newsweek’s Annual Green Rankings in 2017, and number nine in the country. It also scored highest for sustainability performance among U.S. utility companies as assessed by Sustainalytics for the last two years.

Currently, renewable energy makes up more than 10 percent of the electricity Consumers Energy delivers to its customers.

Additional renewable energy projects Consumers Energy owns in Michigan include Lake Winds Energy Park in Ludington, Cross Winds Energy Park in Michigan’s Thumb area and two Solar Gardens projects at Western

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. The six dams along the 120 miles of the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon have a generation capacity of 37 megawatts, enough to meet the needs of about 14,300 residents with clean, carbon-free electricity.

Whether you’re an AuSable River Canoe Marathon competitor portaging the six hydro dams Consumers Energy owns and operates along the Marathon route, a spectator cheering on the paddlers from a vantage point at a dam, or just driving past a generating facility to watch the finish, know that those dams played a vital role in the history of Michigan and are continuing as vital resources for the state’s clean energy future.

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Crawford County

2018 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon From the Crawford County Elected Officials: and the

Seniors Division Split Time Records Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2016

0:46:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Stephan Bridge

2016

1:21:55

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Wakeley Bridge

2016

1:52:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Joe Wakeley

David Stephenson

McMasters Bridge

2016

2:54:18

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Parmalee Bridge

2016

4:01:53

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Sandra Moore

Shelly Pinkelman

Camp Ten Bridge

2016

5:10:48

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Mio Dam

2016

5:37:09

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Kirk Wa efield

Rick Anderson

McKinley

2016

7:30:04

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

4001 Bridge

1999

8:25:48

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Alcona Dam

1999

9:04:51

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Sierra Koch

Jamie McClain

1999 11:02:22

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Five Channels Dam 1999 11:30:40

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

County Treasurer

Commissioner

Clerk/Register

Commissioner

County Sheriff

Commissioner

Prosecuting Attorney

Commissioner

Circuit Court Judge

Commissioner

Circuit Court Judge

Commissioner

Judge of Probate

Commissioner

Colin Hunter

George Mertz

Monte Burmeister

Sharon Priebe

Laurie Jamison

Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1999 12:37:04

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Foote Dam

1999 13:55:01

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Oscoda

1999 15:21:22

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

2nd Half

2010

Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

7:42:43

Phil Lewis

M io’ s F lash M ar sh an d C ar son B ur meister comp lete their p or tage of the M io D am dur in g last year ’ s M ar athon . eriC YOUNG/OSCODa COUNTY HeralD

Seniors Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Riverside Bed & Breakfast Day & Overnight River Trips

Year

Time

Burton's Landing

2016 0:46:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Stephan Bridge

2016 0:35:09

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Wakeley Bridge

2016 0:30:51

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

McMasters Bridge

1999 1:01:14

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Parmalee Bridge

1999 1:06:52

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Camp Ten Bridge

2010 1:08:44 2010

Ray Bauer (53) & Nick Bauer (50) Fred Mills (56) & Tim McClure (52)

Mio Dam

1997 0:25:53 Blaise St. Pierre (57) & Serge Rouleau (52)

McKinley

1999 1:50:55

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

4001 Bridge

1999 0:53:08

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Alcona Dam

2000 0:38:36 Blaise St. Pierre (60) & Pierre LaPointe (58)

Loud Dam

2013 1:55:40

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:26:01

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Team (Ages)

Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54) Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)

Cooke Dam

2013 1:03:50

Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)

Foote Dam

2009 1:14:33

Michael Garon (51) & Doug Gillin (50)

Oscoda

2010 1:23:12

Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Program Book

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Proudly serving the Grayling community for more than 100 years Nestled along the AuSable River in scenic Northern Michigan, Grayling Hospital has served the region for more than 100 years. Since we first opened our doors in 1911, the Grayling Hospital has been focused on improving the health of our communities by providing vital health services and offering access for all. Today, we are a nationally recognized healthcare provider committed to helping the people of Northern Michigan achieve the best possible health.

As our community grows and expands, we look at ways to provide better health care. To do that, Grayling Hospital started a $2.9 million renovation project last year. The first phase of the project included creating a new unit, called the Patient Diagnostic Center, on the first floor of the hospital, which opened in early May. The new chair-based

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unit is the first of its kind in Northern Michigan and was designed specifically for the needs of the patients at Grayling Hospital. The second phase of the construction is scheduled to start later this year, and will include redesigning the layout of the main entrance and emergency entrance areas of the hospital to improve the flow for registration. It will also include relocating services patients use regularly, like the laboratory and pharmacy, closer to the front of the hospital for easier access.

We are extremely grateful to be a part of a community that is as warm and welcoming as Grayling, and are proud to be a sponsor of the 2018 AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

To learn more about the Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital and the services we provide, visit our website at munsonhealthcare.org/grayling.

71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Program Book

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FEENY - (989) 348-3242 QTA- (989) 745-6127 208 S. JAMES ST., GRAYLING www.Feeny.com

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

• • • •

Au Sable Riverfront Cabins

18’ Canoes for Families Single & Double Kayaks 2 1/2 & 4 hour river trips Mountain Bike Rentals

Tim Hickey Jayson Welser David Teddy Mitch McMillan Pete Mead Jim “The Legend” Laurent David Sabin Mike Hartman

Quiet Family Atmosphere 1 & 2 Bedroom Cabins

Ray Trudgeon Fritz Lamm Isaac VanNuck Spencer Dean Wesley Dean Tyler Cragg Bo Brian Borchers Wes Willoughby Naomi Kolka Program Book

Penrod’s is the Proud Sponsor of Lynne Witte TOLL FREE (888) 467-4837 or

(989) 348-2910 Penrod’s - 100 Maple St., Grayling, MI 55

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71st Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon