Iron Horse River Races: Race, Float and Festival – October 9, 2010. USCA event!

Join us for Poplar Bluff s downtown event of the year! On October 9, 2010 we will host a 20-mile marathon race and a 10-mile float on the Black River. The finish line for both races is downtown at Clinton Park in Poplar Bluff. We invite river rats and land lovers alike to join us with their canoes and kayaks for the River Races and the Iron Horse Centennial Festival! There will be local food and drink, live music, an all-class reunion, arts and crafts vendors, a chalk street-art competition, and tons of fun! Race Director is national champion (several times!) canoe racer Doug Pennington of Poplar Bluff.

General Information:

The Iron Horse River Races is a flat-water canoe and kayak race held on the Black River in Southeast Missouri.

Distances

Two distances are offered to paddlers: a 20-mile marathon and a 10-mile short course. The 20-mile marathon will begin at the Hendrickson Access to the Black River and proceed downstream to Poplar Bluff finishing at Clinton Park; the 10-mile short course will begin at the Hilliard access to the Black River and proceed downstream to Poplar Bluff, finishing at Clinton Park.

Fee

The 20-mile Marathon from Hendrickson to Clinton Park is $25 per paddler. The 10-mile short course from Hilliard to Clinton Park is $10 per paddler. Entrants will receive a generous bag with a T-Shirt, post-race snacks and other goodies.

Start Time

The Marathon will begin at 9 a.m. and the 10-mile will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, and end when the last paddler is off the water. See race schedule for more details.

Whether you have never been on the river before or are an experienced paddler, you will enjoy this opportunity to canoe or kayak down the Black River. Floaters will start at Hilliard Access 2 miles north of Poplar Bluff on Route W, and end at Clinton Park, next to the Iron Horse Centennial Festival in Poplar Bluff, a total of 10 river miles. There will be a safety boat in the water. Awards will be given to the first 3 finishers in each division, but that doesn t mean you have to rush — sit back and enjoy the river!

Awards

A cash prize may be awarded to the overall winner of each class if we receive enough entrants. All race finishers will receive a goodie bag. Awards will be given to the overall winner of each class. We reserve the right to combine classes if the number of competitors in a class is low.

For rules, classes, start times and registration information for the Iron Horse River Races, or to find other paddling races, events, festivals, paddlefests, adventure races or triathlons all over the U.S.,click here to go to our kayak, canoe & paddling races and events page.

Looking for paddling locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

Do you have a paddling event, kayak race, canoe race you would like listed on our paddling races and events page? Please use our handy contact form to send us the details.

Here is another Canoe and Kayak Racing Event that will be fun for the whole family!

If you are looking for a family oriented event, then you might want to check out the Wild Hog Canoe & Kayak Race Saturday, April 17^th. (Optional weather date is Saturday, April 24) in Bronson, Florida.

According to their website:

Paddlers will be racing down the Waccasassa River.

The race will begin on State Road 24 at the Waccasassa Bridge, 2 miles east of Otter Creek, and finishes at U.S. Highway 19 at the Waccasassa Bridge, 6 miles south of Otter Creek and 9 miles west of Bronson.

Kayak classes are: 1 person & 2 person

Canoe classes are: experienced, mixed, recreation, senior (55+), women, & parent/youth (under 17)

This is one of the most unusual river races in Florida with amazing scenery and a challenging river.

Funds raised go to help the Levy Association for Retarded Citizens in Otter Creek.

This is an alcohol – free family oriented event with food, music, and fun.

This paddling race sounds like it will be fun for spectators as well as paddlers.

For more information on this canoe and kayak race or to find other paddling races, events, festivals, or paddlefests all over the U.S.,   click here to go to our kayak, canoe & paddling races and events page

To find other Family Paddling events, click here to go to our family fun paddling events page.

Looking for paddling locations in your state?

 Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.