The fourth annual Merrill Millstream Park canoe race was held on May 9, with a total of 15 racers, many of them first-time participants.
Derek Bustard of Rockland, who has competed the three prior years, took home his first paddle as first place in the short kayak class, with a time of 1:49:22. Behind him by approximately 13 minutes was Alden Bustard of Bucksport with a second-place time of 2:03:57. Finally, taking third place was Kim McLaughlin of Dyer Brook with a time of 2:10:53. This was not only McLaughlin’s first time in the MMP race, but her first time even in a kayak. Her nephew, Matt Furrow, who had won this class the last three years is on summer work cruise with Maine Maritime Academy, so McLaughlin stepped to the plate, using Matt’s kayak, and took his slot to honor his commitment.
“Just as she has encouraged her nephew to not quit, despite how challenging his new Maine Maritime Academy experience has been, Kim refused to quit and finished the race in style with a smile on her face,” said Ken Bustard, race organizer. “In her words, she said, ‘I have told Matt to not quit, so how could I?”
The long kayak class had two competitors — Liz Clark of Houlton and Matt Bustard of Oakfield. This was Clark’s first time in the MMP race, but clearly not her first time in a kayak. She took first place, not only in this class, earning her first MMP paddle, but fastest overall. The Maine Canoe Plaque for fastest in all kayak classes, as well as the $100 prize for fastest overall. Clark’s time of 1:40:56, while claiming the first-place award, was only 26 seconds ahead of Matt Bustard, who had a time of 1:41:22 for second place.
The two-person canoe (mixed) had interesting combinations of cousins, husband/wife, father/daughter, sister/brother-in- law, said Bustard. First place went to the father/daughter team of Brian and Courtney MacDonald of Oakfield. They narrowly claimed first-place paddles with a time of 1:49:17. Right behind them was the husband/wife team of Brian and Paula Stevens of Merrill with a time of 1:49:28, just 11 seconds different. Coming in third, not too far behind, were Kaitlin Snyder of Linneus with cousin Evan Clark of Houlton. They finished third with an impressive time of 1:54:58. This was their first time competing in the MMP race, as well. The two other crafts in this division consisted of the sister/brother-in-law team of Kelsey MacDonald and Jonathan Allen, both of Oakfield, with a time of 2:12:10. Finally, the father/daughter team of Kevin and Shelby Cummings with a time of 2:13:57.
Trophies for fastest overall time, which consists of a “Maine Canoe Plaque” form the Maine State Prison Store, went to Clark in the kayak class and to Brian and Courtney MacDonald in the canoe class.
“Overall, the race was a great success, with much better weather conditions than prior years,” Bustard said. “The main challenge faced by all racers was the strong head wind, which increased the overall finishing times by nearly 30 minutes from the prior year. There was adequate water, although not nearly as high as many anticipated, given the late spring thaw and larger than normal snow levels.
“Once again, many volunteers made for a successful and extremely enjoyable day,” added Bustard. “We don’t really make money at this event, and that is OK as that is not our motive. We want to bring community together. I always have a great feeling at the end of the day’s events, knowing we have made a community a better place. I am always reminded of what a great community this is.”
