The 53rd Annual Marathon was on Sunday, May 16, 2010
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The Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon, founded in 1957 by Ralph Frese, is the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States. The race is 18½ miles on the beautiful and historic Des Plaines River. There are numerous classes to accommodate people of all ages and levels. 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.

Welcome 2010!

WE WELCOME YOU back for the 53rd annual Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon. We are introducing several significant changes in addition to our name which recognizes the growing popularity of kayak participation. Again we are grateful for the considerable assistance of our co-sponsors, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Lake County Forest Preserves. We wish you abundant enjoyment and success with your preparation and participation in the May 16 Marathon!

- Al Pilgrim & Jack Snarr, Co-Chairmen

KAYAK CLASSIFICATION AND SPECS With the consulting assistance and advice of long-time kayak competitors, the Marathon has expanded the kayak classes and adopted closer kayak specification standards for 2010 in response to the growing popularity of kayak racing. The classes are listed on the Registration Form page and described on the Craft and Class Specifications page.

WEB REGISTRATION New this year is the opportunity to register for the race and order T-shirts at signmeup.com/canoemarathon. One partner can register for all occupants of a craft, order T-shirts and make payment, although other paddlers or passengers must signify agreement to the waiver via an automated email process. Instructions may be found on the Registration page. As before, registration and t-shirt orders can also be completed using the paper form and waiver contained herein.

HALFWAY TAKE-OUT OPTION For some participants, the option to paddle a shorter distance and take out at Rivershire Park on Londonderry Road in Lincolnshire, one mile south of Half Day Road/Rte 22, may hold particular appeal. Cars may be parked in advance in the adjoining lot, and pre-race shuttle bus service will be available back to the Start.. After loading your boat, we encourage you to then drive to the Finish area to pick up T-shirts, and participate in the post-race displays, food and festivities. A map and further detail on shuttle service will be included in the Mailback with your boat number.

RYERSON & DAM #1 In fairness to all participants everyone must portage both Ryerson Dam and Dam #1, under penalty of disqualification. If at the time of the race, the water level appears sufficient to permit lifting this restriction at Dam #1, notice of this will be posted at the Start. This should be attempted only by individuals experienced with paddling whitewater. Those who portage the dam will find the put-in below vastly improved, thanks to a masterful Forest Preserve of Cook County maintenance effort.

UPPER DES PLAINES RIVER ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP While a major mission of the Des Plaines River Association has always been the promotion of the environmental and recreational resource of the upper Des Plaines River, our experience has resided primarily with the recreational aspect. Since 2004 The Upper Des Plaines River Ecosystem Partnership (UDPREP), one of 41 similar Partnerships on watersheds throughout the state, has been working to bring together municipal, regional and private interests to share ideas and resources, educate one another, identify grant resources and develop proposals to promote sound restoration plans and projects. We urge you to visit UDPREP’s website: www.upperdesplainesriver.org for an explanation of UDPREP’s recent efforts and accomplishments. An easy way to support UDPREP is to check the box on your registration form indicating a desire to add $3.00 to your fee, for direct support of UDPREP. Visit the UDPREP display in the Finish Line warming tent for additional insight into UDPREP’s goals and successes!

WE ENCOURAGE YOU to partake of the opportunities at the Finish Area to wind down after completing the race: view the exhibits in the warming (or cooling) tent and the surrounding booths related to dam safety, the Upper Des Plaines River Ecosystem Partnership and other aspects of Illinois paddling and river conservation, enjoy the food and music and pick up your patch and any pre-ordered tee shirts while awaiting the awards presentation.

OTHER RACES We also encourage your participation in other Midwest races, whose range of formats, rivers and scenery varies widely and is summarized in the EVENTS section of our website: canoemarathon.com.

Sponsored by: Des Plaines River Association | Lake County Forest Preserve District | Cook County Forest Preserve District
Sanctioned by: Illinois Paddling Council | The United States Canoe Association
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