River Relief

June 19, 2012

River races booming on the Big Muddy and tributaries

Although we like to point out that the first Flying Carp Race was a month before the first Missouri River 340, the now famous 340 mile race on the Missouri is still growing every year.

As the 340 has grown, so has the energy of a paddling race community spawning a wide variety of races on the Big Muddy and its tributaries.

Many of these races are organized by folks that cut their teeth on the 340 and saw a whole lot of potential.

The Race to the Dome, the Missouri River 340 and the new Freedom Race all contribute to Missouri River Relief, and we deeply appreciate the support of the paddling community.

2008 MR340 start - confluence of Kaw and Missouri Rivers - photo by Melanie Cheney

Some of these races have already happened, but here's the full list of 2012 races on the Missouri River and its tributaries:

• Perche Creek Gutbuster - March 24 - Perche Creek - 10 miles starting and ending at Providence Landing, Columbia, MO. Hosted by Thetis Paddles.
• Missouri River Shootout - April 28 - Missouri River - 50 miles from Kaw Point to Lexington. Hosted by MR340 veteran Matt Dresslaer.
• South Dakota Kayak Challenge - May 26-27 - Missouri River - 72 miles on the braided Missouri National Recreational River from Yankton, SD to Sioux City, IA. Hosted by the South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association.
• Kawnivore - June 1-2 - Kaw River - 100 miles on the shallow, braided Kansas River from Manhattan to Lawrence. Hosted by Rivermiles.
• Gas 60 - June 16 - Gasconade River - 27 miles from Hwy 17 to Boiling Springs. Hosted by Aquaholics.
• Race to the Dome - June 30 - Perche Creek & Missouri River - 16 or 26 miles from Providence to Jefferson City (Wilson's Serenity Point). All proceeds from this race organized by Patrick Lynn go to Missouri River Relief. Thanks Patrick!

• Missouri River Freedom Race - July 7 - Lamine and Missouri Rivers - 63 miles from DeBourgmont Access on the Lamine River to Jefferson City. Hosted by MR340 veteran Joe Mann.
• Missouri American Water MR340 - July 31- August 3 - Missouri River - 340 mile race from Kansas City, KS to St. Charles, MO. Missouri River Relief is proud to a major part of the support boat fleet for this ultramarathon race. Hosted by Rivermiles. Check out their amazing race forum for all kinds of river and race info.
• Race for Rivers- August 25-26 - Missouri River - 65, 41 or 21  miles from Washington to the Confluence (and a festival in St. Charles!). Hosted by Greenway Network.
• Kawloween - September 29 - Kaw River - 20 miles from Manhattan to Wamego. Hosted by Rivermiles.
• Perche Creek Fall Five - October 13 - Perche Creek - two miles running, three miles paddling. Hosted by Charlie Lockwood and Thetis Paddles.
• Canoe for Clean Water - October 20 - Missouri River - 50 mile race (Glasgow to Katfish Katy's) or 15 mile float (Franklin Island to Katfish Katy's). Hosted by Missouri River Communities Network.

*** If we've missed anything, please email us and we'll add them!