The 15-mile Snake River Canoe Race near Mora, MN, attracted 233 kayaks and canoes last weekend. For the first time in three years, there was a new winning team. Racers included elites racing in the “pro” category that finished in less than two hours, to casual citizen participants who finished in upwards of three hours.
The river was reportedly in perfect condition for this year’s race, with recent rains elevating water levels and quickening the current. The Kanabec County Times reports:
It was a perfect day Saturday for the 31st Snake River Canoe Race as a record number of canoeists were greeted by high water, warm temperatures, sunny skies and calm winds.
In all, 233 canoes and kayaks registered for the race which shatters the previous record of 200 canoes.
Video
Video courtesy SkinnySki.com
Results
Last year’s Pro Class second place finishers, John Mundahl and Scott Nesvold, of Hayward and Washburn, WI, respectively, took first this year, though the team of Kate Ellis and John Ellison, of Minneapolis and St. Paul, respectively, who won the class in 2010 and 2009, did not compete together this year. Last year’s race was also restricted to Knife Lake.
The second fastest team in the competition this year was in the Open Racing – Female category. Julia Johnson and Sarah Tokos came in at 1:51:43, just two minutes behind the first place Mundahl and Nesvold.
For the full results, click here (PDF).
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