9 minute read
Cheer the Racers
Checkpoints Year Time Team (Ages)
Burton's Landing 2017 0:44:14 Mary Schlimmer (26) & Andrew Triebold (41)
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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)
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 2019 0:52:47 Mary Schlimmer (28) & Richard Lauth (46)
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)
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Cheer the racers, fight the invaders
Snub invasive plants along the AuSable with tools and practices
By Chris Engle, Communications Associate, Huron Pines
It’s the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere, and you’re jockeying for a spot on the bank of the AuSable River to rally racers onward with howls of encouragement. As a “feeder” your job is even more urgent: Get to your paddlers with essential supplies so they have the fuel they need to finish “The World’s Toughest Spectator Sport,” and don’t be late.
Amid this 15-hour overnight frenzy, miles away from the nearest paved sidewalk or street lamp, there’s bigger things to think about than where you’re stepping. Out here it’s just dirt trails, worn down by the boots of backpackers, anglers and marathoners over generations. In daylight the river valley doesn’t look much different from one marathon to the next, and the race itself is a celebration of an unchanging tradition.
But in the treads of our boots and the folds of our clothes, the seeds of plants able to alter this landscape in radical ways can hitch a ride through the valley without us ever noticing. When we pay attention to this fact, those plants lose the element of surprise.
Northern Michigan is host to dozens of invasive plant species, brought to the Midwest intentionally as ornamental shrubs or accidentally in the ballast water of ships then dispersed by humans, animals and natural forces. Three species in particular — Japanese barberry, garlic mustard and purple loosestrife — require serious attention to limit their spread within the AuSable River watershed where they are already present.
“Japanese barberry is very prevalent along the AuSable and the Mason Tract, a public trail system near Roscommon that follows the river,” said Shelby Bauer, Stewardship Program Coordinator for Huron Pines. “Studies find tick populations are much higher in barberry-infested areas because ticks are attracted to the plant’s shrubby nature and the small rodents that take shelter within them. I’ve found this to be true in my own experience in the field and this makes staying on paths really important.”
Huron Pines and its partners continue making strides in controlling these invasive species and there is still work to be done. In the meantime, these plants will continue causing trouble in areas where they’re established and we need to be vigilant about not helping them along.
Garlic mustard is not as widespread here as in southern parts of the state but is present along forest trails where it acts as ground cover and outcompetes tree seedlings and other native plants. It’s also a prolific seed producer and the tiny seeds remain viable for up to 7 years.
Since 2012, Huron Pines has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, Consumers Energy and students from Oscoda Area Schools to hand-pull hundreds of pounds of garlic mustard annually near Foote Dam, keeping the species in check while protecting a healthy population of wild ginger there.
Similar efforts against purple loosestrife by local watershed groups have helped keep this wetland wildflower at bay along the AuSable River. It’s another significant seed producer, carried along by waders and watercraft that come in contact with ripe seed pods.
Knowing this information helps us be more conscious of where we’re walking but we can also equip ourselves with simple tools and practices to reduce the spread of invasive species during the race and beyond. Consider taking these actions before, during and after your canoe marathon experience: • Pack a stiff-bristled brush and lint roller. Use the brush to clean seed-carrying dirt, mud and debris from your boots and treads regularly. This also works for waders and bike tires before and after each use. • Inspect and clean your clothes and gear between uses and locations. A lint roller is a fast and effective way to remove seeds from clothing. • Inspect and towel down watercraft between uses. • Remove burrs from pets. Tough burrs in thick fur can be helped out with a pinch of coconut oil. • Stay on marked trails as much as possible. Help keep this great marathon tradition alive and unchanged, and enjoy your time in the company of the AuSable River and its people. Huron Pines invasive species management and education are supported in part by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program. HuronManistee National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Huron Pines are working cooperatively to develop and implement educational and outreach activities related to non-native invasive species in the community and schools within the Mio and Huron Shores Rangers Districts.
Huron Pines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1973 to conserve and enhance Northern Michigan’s natural resources to ensure healthy water, protected places and vibrant communities. Huron Pines strives to improve economic, environmental, educational and recreational opportunities throughout Northern Michigan. To learn more, visit huronpines.org.
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)
Loud Dam 2019 11:01:45 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45) Five Channels Dam 2019 11:27:49 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45)
Cooke Dam 2019 12:31:08 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45)
Foote Dam 2019 13:47:57 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45) Oscoda 2019 15:15:36 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45) 2nd Half 2017 7:39:14 Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43)
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 2019 1:00:57 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45)
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 2018 0:25:43 Rebecca Davis (28) & Edith MacHattie (44)
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 2018 0:38:08 Rebecca Davis (28) & Edith MacHattie (44)
Loud Dam 2019 1:55:51 Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45) Five Channels Dam 2018 0:25:54 Rebecca Davis (28) & Edith MacHattie (44)
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)
July 10th & 11th
Proudly Presented By:
Saturday July 10 - C-2 race from Cooke Dam to the finish line of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, at the AuSable Inn. Registration begins at 7:00am at Cooke Dam, with the race starting at 9:00 a.m. The winning time is about 2.5 hrs. There is an MCRA picnic following the C-2 race at the American Legion Pavilion. Donation proceeds go to benefit the MCRA Canoers Memorial on River Rd. Eating begins around 12:30 p.m. with awards following. Sunday July Sunday July 11 - C-1 Race. Registration at Childrens Park in AuSable starts at 8:00 a.m. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. at Childrens Park. The Race Course: Paddlers will race 2 laps from Childrens Park to round a buoy just downstream of the railroad trestle bridge and back. Winning time is about 1 hr.
