The 65th annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon was held last weekend. Here are some shots from the sprints held the day before to determine starting position. The sprints are essentially time trials where teams have to paddle downstream then turn around and paddle back upstream. It was a rainy day, but the trials still drew a crowd. Boats are measured to make sure they meet spec.

The race started in Grayling the following evening and the racers paddled all night, 120 miles downstream to Oscoda. It begins with a Le Mans start, paddlers  running down a city street after the gun carrying canoes. The route take them onto a boardwalk leading to the river where they jump in and go. Hundreds of fans stay up all night and travel from bridge to bridge to cheer the racers on.

Being a spectator is good fun.

For more information see: AuSable River Canoe Marathon.