The annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race on the Fox River is set for Saturday, June 1, but a recently discovered obstacle in the river has caused race officials at the Fox Valley Park District to relocate one of its launch points.
Due to construction on the Island Park pedestrian and railroad bridge that spans the Fox River in Geneva, race officials have moved the launch location of the long course from Mt. St. Mary’s Park in St. Charles to the Fabyan Forest Preserve at 1925 S. Batavia Ave. in Geneva.
The boat launch area is on the west side of the river, park district officials said in a press release on Monday.
“We had some attentive residents who posted concerns on social media, and we’re thankful for that,” said Lynn Piotrowski, facility manager at the Fox Valley Park District’s Prisco Community Center in Aurora and the 2024 Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race coordinator, concerning the issue caused by the bridge project. “When we saw the pictures and videos, a member of our operations team visited the construction site and spoke with workers who said they hadn’t seen a canoeist or kayaker pass through during the time they’ve been working.
“It’s an extremely dangerous area with high, fast-moving water and narrow passageways,” Piotrowski said.
The modified long course now runs 7.1 miles, joining the original six-mile option from the Batavia VFW, 645 S. River St. in Batavia.
Paddlers who previously registered for the St. Charles launch will now start from Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva. Registration fees and start times remain the same, and paddlers who’ve already registered in St. Charles will be notified of the site change, said Piotrowski in the release.
No changes have been made to the course which begins in Batavia.
Heats for the race on June 1 begin at 9 a.m. in Geneva and 10:30 a.m. in Batavia. Divisions for paddlers who require canoe or kayak rental are included, and participants must register online. The registration deadline is 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29.
The finish line for both courses is just beyond the Illinois Avenue bridge in Aurora, and a post-race lunch celebration will be held at adjacent McCullough Park, officials said.
A wristband that’s good for lunch is included in the registration fee. Reuland’s Food Service will be at the park preparing a grilled lunch menu featuring several items for purchase, according to the release. Non-competitors of the race can purchase a $25 ticket that includes lunch in the park and a race T-shirt.
“Spouses and kids who aren’t in the race bring blankets and lawn chairs to relax in the park and enjoy lunch with the participants they came to cheer on,” Piotrowski said in the release. “We’ll also have picnic tables set up, and there are plenty of majestic trees in the park for shade if we get a warm, sunny day.”
Race officials strongly encourage participants with their own canoes or kayaks to unload boats at their respective launches, park at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora and take one of two shuttles back to their launch site 90 minutes prior to their heat.
Paddlers who rent boats should also park at Prisco, for there is no shuttle service following the race, officials said.
The first Mid-American race on the Fox River was held in 1961, a race that featured 41 boats and 82 paddlers. It was the brainchild of local outdoors writer Bob White, park district officials said.
“We’re on our third generation of families now, and it’s fascinating to see the tradition being passed down in real time,” Piotrowski said of the race. “We still have spectators, friends and family cheering from the bridges and riverbanks. We see the kids and grandkids holding signs they made. There’s community pride up and down the river.”
For more information or to register for the 2024 Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race, go to https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/event/mid-american-canoe-kayak-race-2/.
