Past Years: 2008

51ST DES PLAINES RIVER CANOE MARATHON – WELCOME!
The planning and paddling of 50 Des Plaines River Canoe Marathons is now a matter of history, and we have begun work on the second 50! There is much to do right now to maintain the considerable momentum and spirit that has characterized our Marathon over the years.

NEW IN 2008
The organization of the race will remain much the same. While no class or boat specification changes have been made, their display on the registration form has been clarified. We will be watching the relative participation in some classes this year for opportunities to establish new classes the following year, or to combine appropriate classes where participation is limited. We will also be working with Scout and other groups to increase interest and involvement from younger paddlers.

GETTING THERE
The Lake Minear Beach parking lot, a quarter mile west of the Marathon Start on Oak Springs Road, will again be open for free parking on race day until 5:00 pm. However, we encourage participants to use the pre-race shuttle bus service to park their cars near the Dam #2 Finish area. The shuttle will pick up paddlers at the Finish Line early enough to return to the Start Line for the 8am first heat. Please visit www.canoemarathon.com for that schedule as time for the race approaches

RACE DAY DETAILS
Tee shirts may be ordered at the time of pre-race registration, and any remaining shirts may be purchased on race day at the Finish Line. Size availability cannot be guaranteed for late purchases. We intend to provide a similar variety of food vendors at the Finish area, and perhaps supplement the food and festivities with therapeutic massage services. Remember to bring spending money to visit all the great vendors at the race.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
2007 Marathon participants may remember the series of yellow signs placed along the race course by the Upper Des Plaines River Ecosystem Partnership. These signs called attention to interesting historical and environmental happenings along the river, and will be up again this year. A copy of the explanatory booklet describing the 24 sites in further detail can be viewed and printed now at www.upperdesplainesriver.org. We hope that this enlightenment will enhance your appreciation of the river as a recreational resource.

OTHER RACE OPPORTUNITIES
The Marathon has also won the bid to host the United States Canoe Association National Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships for 2009 as a supplement to our regular event. Aluminum aficionados take note that the Aluminum Nationals are open to anyone wishing to race an aluminum canoe. There are no qualifying criteria for paddlers; however, your aluminum canoe must be no longer than 17'4" to qualify in the national championship races! Elsewhere in this brochure you will ind information on the Chicago Flatwater Classic and the restored 48th Mid-American Canoe Race on the Fox River. The full schedule of other Illinois races, an explanation of the Illinois Paddling Council State Championship program and other information related to paddling in Illinois may be found at www.illinoispaddling.org.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Conduct of the Marathon depends on the interest and assistance of many volunteers, most of whom have been race participants at one time or another, and about half of whom continue to compete while fulfilling some role in the race process. We depend upon a steady influx of new committee members and race day assistants to invigorate and inspire successive races. Please consider lending a hand with some aspect of the 2008 Marathon. To explore the possibility of volunteering, please leave a message on the Marathon hotline or contact me at j-snarr@northwesten.edu. On behalf of the Des Plaines- River Association, I wish you good luck in your training and preparation. Have a satisfying and enjoyable May 18 Marathon competition!

— Jack Snarr, Chairman