MACKRO donates to outdoor program; Ludwig wins first race

    The Maine Canoe and kayaking Racing Organization also known as MACKRO has pledged $375 to the East Grand Outdoor Education program this spring from its youth fund.
    The school hopes to buy two additional racing canoes with the funds.
    Currently, the school owns only two race boats, while they borrow four additional canoes each spring to use in races.
    Last year, MACKRO donated $750 to the school Outdoor Education program. Those funds were used to purchase racing paddles, seats and foot braces.
    The MACKRO schedule for the next month includes: Fri., April 6, 4 p.m., clinic — Passy River — Belfast; Sat., April 7, 8:30 a.m. — Passy River Race — Morrill; Sat., April 14, 8:30 a.m. — Souadabscook Sprint and Down River Race — Hampden; Sun.,  April 15, 8:30 a.m. —  Marsh Stream Sprint and Down River Race — Frankfort and Sat., April 21— All day Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race — Kenduskeag Stream, Kenduskeag (Grange Hall).
    For more information about upcoming races, visit Mackro’s website at www.mackro.org.
    Houlton’s Fred Ludwig conquored the St. George’s River Race last Saturday for his 10th career victory. He paddled the course in a time of 47 minutes and 29 seconds. Ludwig’s time was 5:26 slower than last spring’s 42:03 winning effort, which was hampered by low water, the result of an early snow melt and little rainfall recently.
    For the region’s first downriver race of the season there were 190 competitors, topping last year’s turnout.
    Also competing were the East Grand Outdoor Students. See story below, which lists races the group will be participating in this season.