AuSable River Marathon continues nearly 80-year Michigan tradition

GRAYLING ― For most individuals, paddling a canoe for 14 consecutive hours within the darkness of night time appears like a mission of survival.

In Northern Lower Michigan, that describes an annual tradition that brings in lots of of rivals and 1000’s of spectators from across the globe yearly.

The 78th iteration of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon started on Saturday, July 25, in Downtown Grayling as 103 groups of rivals from 16 states and one Canadian province have been greeted on the banks of the AuSable River by a big crowd of followers and spectators. From there, groups made the 120-mile journey from Grayling ot Oscoda all through the night time, racing to grow to be the primary staff to make it to the shore of Lake Huron.

Part of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, the marathon is among the most grueling exams of endurance in North America.

The 2026 AuSable River Canoe Marathon kicked off in Downtown Grayling, Mich., with paddlers starting the 120-mile in a single day to Oscoda, Mich. on Saturday, July 25.

(Dylan Jespersen)

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Dating again to 1947, the race was reportedly designed as a post-Labor Day vacationer draw for the Eastern Michigan space. Now, the annual race attracts a number of the prime rivals in canoe racing, and loads of followers, as paddlers make the 120-mile, 14 -plus journey all through the night time.

This 12 months, 106 groups of two (212 rivals) starting from 15 to 72 years outdated participated within the 78th annual working. Of these, 93 groups accomplished the trek, with instances starting from greater than 14 hours to nearly 19.

The 2026 AuSable River Canoe Marathon kicked off in Downtown Grayling, Mich., with paddlers beginning the 120-mile overnight to Oscoda, Mich. on Saturday, July 25. — The 2026 AuSable River Canoe Marathon kicked off in Downtown Grayling, Mich., with paddlers starting the 120-mile in a single day to Oscoda, Mich. on Saturday, July 25.

While a 14-hour nighttime canoe race would not sound like a spectator sport, it most actually is. Starting with the opening ceremony in Grayling, 1000’s of followers collect alongside the riverside to see the Le Mans-style run that kicks off the occasion.

George Blaha, a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State Spartans, spoke on the opening ceremony, describing the opening of the race as, “One of the most exciting starts in all of sports.”

“If this is your first time, get ready for a night you will never, ever, ever forget,” stated Blaha.

Spectators then observe alongside the route, checking the progress at predetermined bridges and dams earlier than assembly the racers in Oscoda on Sunday morning. It has been described because the “Toughest Spectator Sport in the World”, and those that have skilled it from begin to end can see why.

Travis Mecklenburg of Grayling and Logan Mynar of New Braunfels, Texas, have been the general winners, finishing the 120-mile race in 14 hours, 20 minutes and 37 seconds.

Rich Lauth (Grosse Ile) and Mary Schlimmer-Willoughby (Traverse City) have been the combined division winners (15:12:37), and Rebecca Davis (Homer) and Mandy Trudgeon (East Lansing) gained the ladies’s division (15:35:16).

The AuSable River Marathon is the second race within the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing that features the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in New York and the Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie in Quebec. Many of the highest racers, together with Mecklenburg and Mynar, compete in all three races all through the summer season, with ends in every serving to in direction of their closing standings. Mecklenburg was one of many 2025 triple crown winners, alongside fellow Michigander Weston Willoughby (Traverse City)

The summertime is stuffed with loads of marathons; nevertheless, there in all probability is not a race extra “Michigan” than the AuSable River Marathon.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at [email protected]. Follow him on X, previously often called Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article initially appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: AuSable River Marathon continues nearly 80-year Michigan tradition

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AuSable River Marathon continues nearly 80-year Michigan tradition

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Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25

Photos from the AuSable River Canoe Marathon on Saturday, July 25