High water led to a new course record, a course change and fast times for the 246 boats that paddled in the 90 - mile Adirondack Canoe Classic over the weekend. Paddlers from all over the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Florida, and Maine, across Canada and Germany participated. The route follows the original "highways of the Adirondacks" the interconnecting lakes and rivers that stretch from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. The finish line in Saranac Lake was a festive scene with families and friends cheering on the long line of finishers including eight war canoes - with 6 to 8 paddlers per vessel, eight guideboats, lots of solo kayaks and canoes, and tandem canoes of every paddlable description entered. Of note this year was the large field of Veterans Class Paddlers - over 60 years of age.

In it's twenty- second year, the "90 - Miler" has evolved into an annual rite for people who come more for the experience of sharing in a unique community of paddlers engaged in a commonly challenging endurance activity, than simply to "race." In addition to paddling, participants camp together, eat together, shuttle together, and exchange stories of past experiences on and off of the water. Collecting mileage pins is equally important to collecting a first place plaque. Many paddlers proudly display their 900 - mile pins, some have eclipsed the 1540 mile mark. Five people wear the gold canoe signifying participation in 20 or more Adirondack Canoe Classics. Marlene and John Hyden of Tonawanda join Jeanne Galvin, Ray Morris and Holly Crouch as 1800 - mile paddlers.

Near perfect weather and high water set the stage for Marc Gillespie and Paul Olney to establish a new course record in their 2 - person kayak. The pair paddled and ran the course in a total three - day time of 11:24:43. No other boat has ever broken the 12 - hour mark for the course. The high water caused a slight modification lengthening the course to avoid the boardwalk at Brown's Tract, near Raquette Lake.

The 90 - Miler has been described as an every person's event. The three days of paddling are challenging, but doable for people who have the appropriate mind set and have spent some time in physically preparing for the long days on the water. It also helps to pick the right equipment. Most people choose the lightweight canoes and kayaks made of Kevlar or carbon fiber, and lightweight wooden or carbon fiber bent shaft paddles. Pit crews or race officials transport most of the gear from the start to finish lines. Paddlers need only bring adequate water, food and clothing in the boat for each day. Cut off times and locations were established to assure both participants and volunteers were off of the water before dark. Participants who did not make it to the designated checkpoints prior to the cut off time had usually done enough paddling to call it a day.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is instrumental in the organization and administration of the Adirondack Canoe Classic. The men and women of the DEC provide safety boat support all three days of the event. Campers stay at DEC campgrounds at Lake Eaton and Fish Creek during the event. The DEC Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Officers, Operations, Maintenance, Fisheries Crews, and other personnel involved positively represent the stewardship and public assistance role of the department before during and after the event.

Two very special awards were presented at the Finish line in Saranac Lake. The DEC annually selects and recognizes the person who "best exemplifies the true spirit of the Adirondack Canoe Classic" with the Terry Healey Award. Terry, a DEC employee, was instrumental in the creation of the event and a strong advocate of the involvement of the DEC in its administration. The winner for 2004 was Ben Woodard. Ben served the department as a seasonal employee for 29 years before recently taking a position with L.L. Bean in Freeport Maine. He has competed in the 90 - Miler, and has worked on the event for many years. This year, he, and fellow volunteer Jim McGettigan, went up to Raquette Falls on Friday night and cleared the portage trail of recently felled trees with axes by flashlight to clear the path for the 500 paddlers who went through there on Saturday.

A new award, The Dennis Pollack Living Memorial, was presented to Kerry Newell of Heuvelton. Dennis was a long time participant and volunteer of the 90 Miler and many other races. He passed away suddenly earlier this year. Dennis was a strong positive influence on many people. Like Dennis, Kerry's engaging demeanor and competitive spirit has been instrumental in engaging many people in the sport of canoeing.

Many people work behind the scene to make The Adirondack Canoe Classic an event. Sponsors and supporters include: Wenonah Canoes, Ace Kayaks, Campmor, Mississippi Kayaks, Eastern Mountain Sports, Grasse River Boatworks, The Central Adirondack Association, Whitewater Challengers, The Old Forge Camping Resort, The Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, The Blue Moon Café, Hyde Fuel's Nice n Easy Shoppes, Raquette Lake Navigation, Curry's Cabins in Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake Recreation, Tom Bissell, The United States Olympic Training Center, Leading Edge, Tickner's Moose River Tours, Rivette's Marina, Bird's Marina, Big Moose Yamaha, The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross Quick Response Team MAC'S Canoe Livery and a dedicated, hard working group of volunteers.

Sixty of the 234 boats that finished the 90 - Miler were in Open Touring, a non -competitive participation class for any boat and paddler in the event to finish. On the competitive side, over 200 people went home with first second or third place plaques for their finish in one of the many boat classes! The fastest War Canoe was an eight - person team from Burnt Hills Chiropractic crossing the finish line at 12:56:59. The fastest recreational canoe was John Scoville and Mark Schauster 15:09:07. The fastest two -person guideboat was Randy Blakeman and Brian LaFountain 15:52:50. The winner of the one - person guideboat was Chris Hoyt at 16:29:55. The fastest solo kayak in the race was Larry Thomas at 13:04:44. The fastest 1 person canoe was Bruce Lee at 13:29:49. The fastest 2 - person canoe was Andy and Matt Rudnitsky at 12:45:40. The largest contingent of boats, with over 100 registered, was the Stock Class. The fastest boat in the Stock class was motored by Kevin Berl and Tim Henning at 14:01:49. Complete results are as follows:

For more information, on the Adirondack Canoe Classic phone or email MAC'S Canoe Livery Race Hotline at 518 - 891 - 2744, or macadk@northnet.org