Paddlers enjoy decent weather at Piscataquis River Race

Observer photo/Mike Lange  FIRST-TIMER – Cathy McKenzie of Dexter entered the Kiwanis Club Piscataquis River Race for the first time ever and finished third in her class.

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

 GUILFORD — The water wasn’t as deep as most paddlers would have liked it to be, but it was good enough to draw 65 watercraft and 104 participants to the 43rd annual Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club Piscataquis River Race on May 30.

 “The water level came up a few inches after the rain and we really needed it,” said event chairman Brian Woodworth. “But the weather was really nice. We’re happy.”

 A light breeze kept the heat down and most of the black flies away as paddlers in 17 out of 18 classes completed the 9.5 mile trip from King Cummings Park in Guilford to the finish line across from Foxcroft Academy.

 The fastest times were logged by canoeist Ray Wirth of Belfast in the Open Speed Challenge with a 53:30 and kayakers Barry and Lori Dana of Solon at 56:36. They were presented with the Bob Darling trophy in honor of the late Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club president and one of the original organizers of the race.

 Saturday’s event also marked the 43rd consecutive year that Irving Gilbert of Vassalboro entered the race. He wasn’t too pleased with his fifth-place finish in the Open Canoe-One Person class, however. “It was a harmonica race: I blew it,” he said with a laugh. “But it was better than the Kenduskeag race. I capsized in that one.”

 Gilbert, 72, has had three knee surgeries after a fall from his ice-covered deck in December 2013 and he still has limited mobility. “I’ve won my share of these races over the years,” he said. “Now, I’m here for the camaraderie and enjoyment. The Kiwanis Club does a great job on this race.”

 Several first-timers also enjoyed the event like the Lane family of Rockwood. Amy Lane, best known for her role in resurrecting Squaw Mountain in Greenville during the past few years, entered the Open Speed challenge with husband, Steven, and sons Eli and Aaden. They finished second to Ray Wirth.

 “We couldn’t have made the race on the original date (April 25), so the change really helped,” said Amy Lane. “Everything I’ve heard about the race has been very positive.”

 The date was changed this year due to the bad weather that plagued most of Maine in late April.

Observer photo/Mike Lange  IRVING GILBERT – The retired AT&T worker and former Guilford residents has competed in all 43 Kiwanis Club Piscataquis River Races.

The Lanes are also helping promote the Moose River Race in Rockwood on Saturday, June 13, an 8-mile course from Brassua Lake to the docks at Mount Kineo.

 Another newcomer was Cathy McKenzie of Dexter who finished third in the One Woman Kayak class. “This is my first time here and only my third race overall,” said McKenzie. “Most of the time, I enjoy kayaking for relaxation. It’s a great stress reliever. But once in a while, it’s fun to race. And today’s a great day for it.”

 Visit the Piscataquis Observer’s Facebook page for more race photos.

 Official Results

Class 1 – Open Speed Challenge

1. Ray Wirth – Fastest Kayak, Bob Darling Trophy 53:30
2. Amy and Steven Lane 1:28:53

Class 2 – Racing One-Person Kayak, Short K-1

1. Larry Merrill 1:07:25
2. John Carter 1:11:29

Class 3 – Racing One-Person Kayak, Long (Wildwater Hull) K-1

1. Ben Randall 55:04
2. Dan Baumert 55:06

Class 4 – Racing One-Person Open Canoe OC-1

1. Clayton Cole 1:01:17
2. Chris Dalton 1:04:05
3. Bob Martin 1:05:22
4. Reinhard Zollitsch 1:05:38
5. Irving Gilbert 1:23:29

Class 5 Racing – Two-Person Open Canoe, Short OC-2

1. Eve Dana and Bill Deighan 1:00:44
2. Chris and Jarod Roy 1:14:49
3. John Moore II and Wade Bigelow 1:42:42

Class 6 – Racing Two-Person Open Canoe, Medium OC-2

1. Barry and Lori Dana – Fastest Canoe Bob Darling Trophy 56:36
2. Tammy Kelley and Mark Ranco 58:51
3. Rich Castillo and Zachary Weindel 1:13:22

Class 7 – Recreational One-Man Kayak K-1

1. James Freehey 1:04:06
2. Ted Randall 1:10:02
3. Stephen Carmichael 1:13:47
4. Brian Redmond 1:21:57
5. Ken Beach 1:27:24
6. Reginald Tozier 1:29:48
7. Darango Arno 1:30:24

Class 8 – Recreational One-Woman Kayak K-1

1. Karen Francoeur 1:01:56
2. Leslie Gregory 1:06:15
3. Cathy McKenzie 1:12:39
4. Barbara Hunt 1:20:53
5. Heather Dexter 1:24:19
6. Diane Stephen 1:25:04

Class 9 – Recreational Two-Person Kayak K-2

1. Beth Rowell and Lexi Harris 1:16:18

Class 10 – Recreational One-Person Open Canoe OC-1

1. Mark Risinger 1:09:09
2. Susannah Owen1:20:16
3. Peggy McKee 1:22:07

Class 11 – Recreational Two-Person Open Canoe, Short OC-2

1. Kevin Howard and Heather Bryant 1:18:17
2. Candi Gerrish and Nicole Briggs 1:32:33

Class 12 – Recreational Two-Person Open Canoe, Medium OC-2

1. Lynn Kaluzienski and Jessica Scheick 1:09:31
2. Richard May and James Seymour 1:09:56
3. Meghan Kennedy and Tommy Moriarty 1:10:13
4. Graham Pearsall & Henry Galdron 1:10:54
5. Fiona & Martin Hamilton 1:11:18
6. Kate & Anna Fergusson 1:13:02
7. Ben & Sam Maines 1 1:14:51
8. Smokey Bunn and Danny Moore 1:27:00
9. Susan Graffitti and Christine Hession 1:47:27
10. Dave Hession and Andrew Lathe 2:02:13

Class 13 – Recreational Junior/Senior Open Canoe OC-2

1. Tommy and Jeff Owen 1:03:35
2. Kellen and Brian Doyle 1:06:36
3. Rick and Jed Hartley 1:11:57
4. Eben and Lily Allen 1:18:48
5. Christian and Henry Rowell 1:20:45
6. Benjamin and William Stern 1:26:50
7. Peter Cyr and Beckham O’Leary-Cyr 1:27:20

Class 14 – Recreational Ancient Mariners Open Canoe OC-2

1. Terry Wescott and Chip Loring 1:00:04
2. Clint Cushman and Peter Blood 1:01:52
3. Steven Lacasse and Bob Miller 1:05:24
4. Gregory Nolan and Clifford Ober 1:18:26

Class 15 – Couples Challenge OC-2

1. Eric Gallant and Hanna Rubin 1:01:15
2. Charlie Smith and Shenee Foster 1:04:43
3. Rich Marshall and Tammy Bernard 1:12:22
4. Bekah Flanders and Matt Huskins 1:24:58

Class 16 – Key Club/High School Challenge OC-2

1. Lowell Ruck and Staney Levitsky 1:10:03
2. Meg Pandiscio and Liza Gallandt 1:10:07
3. Nathaniel Seburn and David Rubin 1:22:35

Class 17 – Corporate Challenge OC-2

1 Keri Foster and Stuart Hedstrom 1:58:05

Class 18 – Public Service Challenge OC-2

No entries

Merlin ID 15246333

Observer photo/Mike Lange

 LANE FAMILY – Steven and Amy Lane, along with their sons Aaden and Eli, entered the race for the first time ever. They’re also helping to promote the Moose River Race in Rockwood on Saturday, June 13.

Merlin ID 15246341

Observer photo/Mike Lange

 THEY’RE OFF – The Junior-Senior Open class in the Kiwanis Club Piscataquis River Race takes off from the starting line.

Merlin ID 15246345

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