Photo by Lynda Wallis
Everyone is welcome to participate.
First time participants, repeat paddlers, and serious competitors can all enjoy the excitement, challenge, and camaraderie that this historic event provides.
With a choice of 22 different class specifications and course distances, there is something for everyone.
We welcome all ages, levels of experience, and most boat and board types.
Relax! Read through the class list. It's self explanatory. If you register for the 18.5 mile Marathon and prefer to not participate in the "racing" aspect of the event, select Class 22, No Contest.  All 5.25 mile Minithon paddlers will participate as Class 1, No Contest.
Awards are presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in all classes at a Finish Line ceremony at 3:00 p.m., except No Contest and Minithon participants. First place finishers in racing classes with six or more competing craft will receive the historic Voyageur figure trophy. First place finishers in racing classes with fewer than six competing craft will receive medallions, as will all second and third place racing class finishers.

Important notes regarding paddlers under 16 years old: see Safety Rules#s 10 & 11.
Class
Description
1
Minithon - A non-competitve paddle from Potawatomi Woods to finish line at Dam No. 2 Woods - a 5.25 mile alternative to the 18.5 mile Marathon, with the same scenery, excitement of paddling in an historic event and support for participants.
• No award given.
• Any riverworthy paddle powered craft.
• All paddlers and passengers must be registered and must sign a waiver form.
Note: lead paddler of any craft with more than four occupants must contact info@canoemarathon.com to arrange for registration.
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: up to two paddlers. Two-paddler teams may have up to two passengers
Paddle type: any
2
ALL OTHER CLASSES ARE FOR THE MARATHON
---------------------------------------------
C2 Junior Men, Women, or Mixed
Craft: aluminum or touring canoe.
Aluminum, any aluminum canoe, except "super-aluminum" racing canoes such as Minnichs and Beavers;
Touring, any other canoe not clearly
designed for racing. Excluded "racing canoes" include any non-aluminum racing canoe recognized by USCA, and any ICF canoe design.
Ages: both paddlers must be 17 or younger on the day of the event.
*Jrs Class 2 MUST sign up via mail-in form*
Gender: open
Paddlers: 2
Paddle type: single-bladed paddles
3
C2 Adult/Youth Aluminum or Touring
Craft: aluminum or touring canoe. Same specification as C2 Junior Men, Women or  Mixed, see above.
Ages: youth 14 or younger on day of event with an adult 29 or over on day of event.
Gender: open
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
4
C2 Women Aluminum or Touring
Craft: aluminum or touring canoe. Same specifications as C2 Junior Men, Women or Mixed, see above.
Ages: any
Gender: women
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
5
C2 Men Aluminum
Craft: any aluminum canoe except "super-aluminum" racing canoes such as Minnichs and Beavers, which must compete in the C2 Men Competition.
Ages: any
Gender: men
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
6
C2 Men Touring
Craft: touring canoe, any canoe not clearly designed for racing. Excluded "racing canoes" include any non-aluminum racing canoes recognized by USCA, and any IFC canoe designs.
Ages: any
Gender: men
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
7
C2 Men Competition
Craft: any double paddler, non-aluminum racing canoe recognized  by USCA.
Ages: any
Gender: men
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
8
C2 Mixed Aluminum
Craft: any aluminum canoe except "super aluminum" racing canoes such as Minnichs and Beavers, which must compete in the C2 Women, Mixed Competition or the C2 Masters Competition class.
Ages: any
Gender: man and woman
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
9
C2 Mixed Touring
Craft: touring canoe, any touring canoe not clearly designed for racing. Excluded "racing canoes" include any non-aluminum racing canoes recognized by USCA, and any ICF canoe design.
Ages: any
Gender: man and woman
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
10
C2 Women or Mixed Competition
Craft: any double paddler, non-aluminum racing canoe recognized by USCA.
Ages: any
Gender: 2 women or a woman and a man
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
11
C2 Masters Aluminum or Touring
Craft: aluminum or touring canoe
Aluminum, any aluminum canoe except "super-aluminum" racing canoes such as Minnichs and Beavers;
Touring, any canoe not clearly designed for racing. Excluded "racing canoes" included any non-aluminum racing canoe recognized by USCA, and any IFC canoe design.
Ages: both paddlers must be 40 or older on the day of the event
Gender: open
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
12
C2 Masters Competition
Craft: any double paddler, non-aluminum racing canoe recognized by USCA.
Ages: both paddlers must be 40 or over on the day of the event
Gender: open
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddles
13
C1 Single Paddler
Craft: any single paddler racing canoe recognized by USCA.
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddle
Class
Description
14
K1 Man Recreational Kayak
Craft: any recreational kayak up to 15 feet in length, not including rudder. Excluded, any short kayak clearly designed for racing, for example, USCA specified downriver kayaks; such "racing" kayaks must compete in the
K1 Unlimited Class or Open Racing class.
Ages: any
Gender: man
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddle
15
K1 Woman Recreational Kayak
Craft: same as K1 Man Recreational Kayak, see above.
Ages: any
Gender: woman
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddle
16
K1 Man Sea Kayak
Craft: any kayak up to 18 feet in length, not including rudder (if any). Excluded, any kayak clearly designed for racing. For example, ICF kayaks, ICF trainers, surfskis and USCA specified downriver kayaks; such "racing' kayaks must compete in the K1 Unlimited class or Open Racing class.
Ages: any
Gender: man
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddle
17
K1 Woman Sea Kayak
Craft: same as K1 Man Sea Kayak, see above.
Ages: any
Gender: woman
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddle
18
K1 Unlimited Kayak
Craft: any single paddler kayak
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddle
19
K2 Unlimited Kayak
Craft: any double paddler kayak
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: 2
Paddle Type: double-bladed paddles
20
SUP Stand Up Paddleboard
Craft: stand up paddleboard of any length Must be paddled entire length of course in a standing position.
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: 1
Paddle Type: single-bladed paddle
21
Open Racing
  • Any riverworthy, paddle-powered craft with four or fewer paddlers.
  • Up to two awards will be presented per craft finishing first, second or third.
  • Note: the lead paddler of any craft with more than two occupants must contact info@canoemarathon.com to arrange for registration.
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: up to four paddlers
Paddle Type: any
22
No Contest
  • No Award Given.
  • Any riverworthy paddle powered craft.
  • All paddlers and passengers must be registered and must have signed the waiver form.
  • Note: lead paddler of any craft with more than four occupants must contact info@canoemarathon.com to arrange for registration.
Ages: any
Gender: open
Paddlers: up to two paddlers. Two-paddler teams may have up to two passengers.
Paddle Type: any
Marathon Hotline: 847-604-2445
info@canoemarathon.com
Proudly powered by Weebly