AuSable River Canoe Marathon

This past year marked the 58th running of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Paddlers begin in the town of Grayling and race 120 miles down the scenic AuSable River to the town of Oscoda. Competitors, support crews and spectators battle the elements during this 15+ hour race.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is an experience one never forgets. Watching the racers come running around Ray's Canoe Livery jockeying for the best put-in spot is amazing. After the racers all leave, it's a mad dash to your vehicle with thousand of other spectators taking to the few roads leading to bridges and other viewing locations. Some will try to stop at all the checkpoints, while others will wait it out at favorite viewing spots.

It is an amazing feeling waiting in the dark for the racers to come down the river. You strain to hear the sound of paddles dipping into the river, or to hear the wake of the boats washing up against the bank. Then you see the lead canoe's headlamp. Before you know it, you are jumping up and down, screaming at the top of your lungs as they race past your spot. For the next hour or so you wait for every canoe to go by. Counting each one to see if any have dropped out. As the last canoes come by, your voice is horse, yet you cheer these competitors on like they were in first place. After the last goes by, you jump in your vehicle and race down river to your next viewing spot and do it all over again.

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