27th Annual Adirondack Canoe Classic

OLD FORGE – Hundreds of canoe and kayak paddlers from near and far will hit the Adirondack waterways Friday, Sept. 11 for the 27th annual Adirondack Canoe Classic.

The 90-Miler starts in Old Forge Pond and ends on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake Sunday afternoon. Along the way paddlers will make their way through the Fulton Chain, the Eckford Chain, Long Lake , the Raquette River, and the Saranac Lakes. There are also several miles of portages, including those at Brown’s Tract, Raquette Falls and Bartlett Carry. The course follows some of the “original highways of the Adirondacks” once traveled by Native Americans, guides, early settlers and sports out to enjoy the woods and waters.

The event is full with a maximum field of 250 boats and more than 500 paddlers entered into 14 classes. The 90-Miler is for both competitive and noncompetitive paddlers. This year’s event features about 65 boats in the noncompetitive open touring division. It also includes two paddlers, South Glens Falls resident Ray Morris and Sherburne resident Holly Crouch, who have participated in all of the past 26 years of the event.

The 90-Miler would not be possible without the assistance of the DEC, who provides safety boats along the course and will be celebrating its 25th year of involvement in the event his year.

Over one hundred volunteers also help to shuttle boats, keep time and provide pit stops for paddlers. Amateur Ham radio operators led by Saranac Lake resident Roland Patnode also provide invaluable assistance.

The 90-Miler is organized and sponsored by the Adirondack Watershed Alliance. Other sponsors include Wenonah Canoes, the Central Adirondack Association, Byrne Dairy, Grand Union, Adirondack Bank, Forge Racing, Long Lake Recreation, Placid Boatworks, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, Campmor, Adirondack Lakes and Trails, NYMCRA, Franklin County Tourism, Little Beaver Guideboats, GRB, Hyde Fuel, The Old Forge Camping Resort and MAC’S Canoe Livery.

For more information, visit www.macscanoe.comor call 891-2744.

Where to view the race

Spectators interested in watching the race may utilize vantage points along the course, including the start and finish lines.

· Day one starts on Old Forge Pond in downtown Old Forge and ends in the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. You can also view paddlers in Inlet, or at the bridge leading to Raquette Lake, during the race.

· Day two starts at Bissell’s Field on Long Lake and finishes at the Crusher State Fishing Access Site on the Raquette River near Tupper Lake. You can also view paddlers from the Route 30 Bridge over Long Lake , or by hiking in to the Raquette River off of the Coreys Road

· Day three starts at the Fish Creek Campground in Santa Clara and ends on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake. You can also view paddlers from the DEC Route 3 boat launch at Second Pond.