Remembering a Behind-the-Scenes Marathon Supporter

from 2022 Program Book - AuSable River Canoe Marathon

by AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Official Winners List....................................................................................................31

Remembering a Behind-the-Scenes Marathon Supporter

Photo courtesy of the Myles family By Ryan Matthews

Bruce Myles. Possibly a name that many canoe racing fans are not familiar with. But if you’ve ever watched the Marathon teams cross the finish line, or have seen photos of the Marathon or the Curley Memorial Canoe Race, chances are you’ve witnessed and shared in Bruce’s behind-the-scenes influence on the Marathon.

One place you could count on Bruce being during Marathon weekend was under the Mill Street Bridge, taking photos as the paddlers crossed the finish line. As Oscoda Press Editor Jason Ogden wrote in the Oscoda Press, “every summer he would be perched in the best spot under the [Mill Street] bridge, with his film cameras, tripod, rolls of film and often his grandson, to get shots of the Marathon finishers coming in from their 120-mile race from Grayling to Oscoda.”

Bruce’s passion for the race and for photography was easy to notice. Not long after I became the new Marathon record keeper in 2011, Bruce presented me with dozens of photos, slides, and negatives from several races, some dating back to the mid1980’s. He provided them to me with the mention of thousands more that he had in storage. This treasure trove of Marathon photo-history was outstanding and impressive. Jason Ogden can also attest to Mr. Myles’ expertise for photography and love of the race; “I can say as someone whose career involves taking photos for a living, using modern digital equipment, the fact that Bruce could get amazing shots – more often than not better than my shots – with equipment that a lot of photographers considered antiquated and just antique, always impressed me. For those who know film photography, the fact that Bruce could get awesome shots consistently with his 35mm film single lens reflect camera, with a 300mm telephoto lens, meant that he knew business when it came to taking photos. He had a bond with his camera equipment that meant he knew what the heck he was doing to get really great, non-overexposed shots at high noonish on a July summer day. Just that alone told me he was passionate about the race.” Bruce could certainly capture the looks of jubilation and exhaustion on paddlers’ faces as few could. As such, several canoe racing publications, articles, social media & blog posts, and even trading cards have used his photos.

Perhaps Bruce’s most significant contribution to the race was the generous use of his property at the finish line in AuSable Township. The property, famously adorned as “Harry’s Landing” in the honor of the late Harry Curley, borders the eastern riverbank of the AuSable River and AuSable Township’s Finish Line Park, immediately upstream of the Mill Street Bridge. Thousands of people have traversed his property every year without even knowing. The use of this property has been crucial for the success and growth of the race. After Bruce’s passing earlier this year, it is my sincerest hope that this property comes to be known as “Bruce & Harry’s Landing.”

Bruce’s efforts and passion for the race have long been recognized and appreciated, and the Marathon Committee elected him into the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Hall of Fame in 2013. And though he was never a Marathon canoe racer, the Michigan Canoe Racing Association is set to honor him by adding his name to the Canoer’s Memorial Monument during a ceremony scheduled for this September.

The next time you are watching the paddlers cross the finish line, take a moment to reflect and give thanks to the countless number of people like Bruce Myles, who have directly and indirectly helped make the AuSable River Canoe Marathon a success each year.