Upwards of 500 kayaks and canoes. 16.5 miles. 10 miles of flatwater, 6.5 miles of whitewater. 2 mandatory portages. 10,260 strokes. 900+ calories burned. 1:50.08 all-time record (held by Robert Lang of New Brunswick. Date: Saturday, April 21.
I’m gunning for a time of 2:15.00, which would be a 20 minute improvement of my previous time. I’m counting on the fact of having a faster boat (straight-keeled, 19 inch beam 17.5 foot, 30 lb. Ruanhine Swallow multisport racer over a rockered, 22 inch beam, 16 foot, 60 lb. VCP Avocet sea kayak) will cut most of that 20 minutes . . . with maybe better conditioning and technique counting for a five minute improvement. ‘Course times are highly dependent on water levels . . . the flow was pretty good in 2004 when I last ran the ‘Keag. I’m counting on having a good ride this year.