PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The sun was out and the wind was absent May 16 when 39 paddlers and several runners and cyclists competed in the ninth annual Aroostook River Fun Run canoe/kayak race from Washburn to the PI Fish and Game Club.
Dan Baumert of Levant turned in the fastest time of the day, paddling his solo kayak to the finish line in just over an hour (60 minutes, 29 seconds). The flat-water course is approximately eight miles long. He also won the highly-sought doorprize — a GoPro digital camera.
A group from East Grand School in Danforth, teacher Tammi Matula, Faith Lindley and Matthew Cropley, won the youth canoe division with a time of 1:23:20.
Tracy Spooner and Michael Lee of Presque Isle claimed top honors in the adult mixed category with a time of 1:33:54 in their tandem kayak.
Stephen McAleer of Ludlow, New Brunswick won the men’s solo canoe category with a time of 1:03.15.
David McCrossin of Caribou, who has competed in all nine Fun Run races to date, turned in the fastest time in the men’s experienced solo canoe division at one hour, four minutes flat.
In the men’s double canoe category, a southern Aroostook duo of Rodney Hemmingway and David McGillicudy turned in the top time of 1:10.24.
Real Cyr of Millinocket, riding a sail board, took top honors in the alternate craft division with a time of 1:26.17.
In the popular solo kayak category, Justin Bell of Wade won with a time of 1:08.17, narrowly beating his brother Dan who crossed the finish line 16 seconds later. The first women’s solo kayaker was Wendy Maple of Mapleton with a time of 1:12.46.
Other competitors in the ninth annual race, which raised money for Ashland Girl Scout Troop 1158 and Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177, were:
Mitchell Bartlett, Tyler Frye and Luke Grenier, 1:25.21; Fran Cyr, 1:05.07; Greg Palm and Tom Puzewski, 1:16.50; Marjorie Dyer, 1:25.40; Samantha Collins, 1:34.15; Peggy Johnston, 1:34.15; Ryder Soucy, no time; Roger Soucy, 1:40.24; Michelle Soucy, 1:40.21; Jenna Soucy, 1:37.38; George Webster, 1:40.15; Justin Orser, 1:15.24; Ashley Thomas, 1:35.23; Aaron Bragg, 1:12.27; Patrick Cote, 1:11.08; Phil McPherson, 1:13.25; and Michael Henderson, 1:21.29.
Also, Christopher Maple, 1:15.05; Nicole Leavitt, 1:43.58; Melissa Leavitt, 1:43.44; Paul Towle, no time; Jacob Towle, no time; and Ellen Bemis and Barb Hayslett, runners; and Frank and son, Teddy.
The annual event, wrapped up with a barbecue lunch served at the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club by volunteers from TAMC, is sponsored and conducted by members of the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs.
