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The conditions were near perfect for the 250 boats that paddled in the 90 - mile Adirondack Canoe Classic over the weekend. Paddlers from all over the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Texas, Florida, and Maine, across Canada, England, France, and New Zealand participated. The route follows the original “highways of the Adirondacks” the interconnecting lakes and rivers that stretch from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. New records were set for the highest number of paddlers finishing the event and the overall fastest field with all boats in Lake Flower by 2PM on Sunday. The finish line in Saranac Lake was a festive scene with families and friends cheering on the long line of finishers including seven war canoes – with 6 to 8 paddlers per vessel, fourteen 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- third 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. Four people attained the 1800 milestone qualifying them to wear the coveted gold canoe signifying participation in 20 or more Adirondack Canoe Classics. John Jackson, Norm Goldstein, Larry Sweeney and Brian Finn join Marlene and John Hyden Jeanne Galvin, Ray Morris and Holly Crouch as 1800 - mile paddlers.

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 safe administration of the Adirondack Canoe Classic. The men and women of the DEC provide safety boat and communication support all three days of the event. Campers stay at DEC campgrounds at Lake Eaton and Fish Creek 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. DEC Region 6 Director Sandra LeBaron welcomed the paddlers and wished them bon voyage in her remarks at the Paddler’s meeting in Old Forge on Friday morning.

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 development of the event and a strong advocate of the involvement of the DEC in its administration. The winner for 2005 was Chris Hoyt. Chris is a guideboater from Hinesburg Vermont. He has a positive disposition and goes through life with a smile on his face. He can be seen rowing his guideboat, helping with shuttles, repairing other people’s boats and encouraging others all through the event. This year, though in contention in the one man guideboat class, he took himself out of the competition, to offer another solo guideboater who was going to drop out of the race an opportunity to row together to finish the race.

A new award was given out this year in honor of Pete Clark, a former participant of the 90 Miler who died too young. Pete was a long time rower of a vintage traditional guideboat. He was always smiling, always laughing, and always upbeat even in the face of tremendous personal adversity. Winning the race was not nearly as important to him as participating, finishing, helping his fellow rowers finish, and encouraging everybody to do their best and above all To Have Fun! The award recipient is selected by the field of rowers in a secret ballot at the finish line. The 2005 winner was Chris Hoyt for best exemplifying the true spirit of the Adirondack Guideboat. Chris went home with two trophies and the admiration of lots of paddlers.

Many people work behind the scene to make The Adirondack Canoe Classic an event. Sponsors and supporters include: The Central Adirondack Association, Capital District Physicians Health Plan, The Adirondack Watershed Alliance, Wenonah Canoes, Ace Kayaks, Campmor, Franklin County Tourism, Tops Friendly Markets, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Mississippi Kayaks, GRB Newman Design, Savage River Works, The Old Forge Camping Resort, Pat Brown’s Guideboat Shop, 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, The Tickner Family of Old Forge, Adirondack Lakes and Trails, The Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, Rivette’s Marina, Bird’s Marina, Big Moose Yamaha, MAC’S Canoe Livery and a dedicated, hard working group of volunteers. Sixty-three of the 248 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 a six - person team from Campmor crossing the finish line at 13:25:19. The fastest C – 4 Stock boat was Brian Watson’s team in 13:23:39. The fastest recreational canoe was John Scoville and Mark Schauster 15:10:20. The fastest two - man guideboat was Randy Blakeman and Brian LaFountain 15:55:25 The fastest two – woman guideboat, and second guideboat over all was Grace McDonnell and Betsy McGettigan in 16:31:19 The fastest solo male kayaker in the race was Michel Archambault. His time was 13:14:24. The fastest female kayaker was Jessica Hayes in 14:44: 31. The fastest 1 person canoe was Bruce Lee at 13:47:43. The fastest 2 - person canoe was Todd Roadman and Jeff Rankinen at 13:13:17. The largest contingent of boats, with over 50 registered, was the Stock Class. The fastest Men’s team in the Stock class was motored by Gene Pratt and Ted Lutz at 14:01:49. The fastest mixed team was Joanna Faloon and Mike Brazill in 14:21:17. The fastest women’s tandem stock canoe was Kim Greiner and Sue Brisley in 16:00:13. 

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

Day #3
War Canoes at Fish Creek Bridge

NEW

Video of the 2005 "90 Miler"
Release date December 2005

1-800-559-0000
Email: paul@vidsync.com

Open Touring
Guideboats
Recreation Canoes
Sea Kayak

C-2 Stock Women/Mixed
C-2 Stock Men
C-2 Amateur
Unlimited Kayak
2 Person Kayak