Despite the rain, it was a perfect day for the the 34th Annual Great River Race! The weather was definitely in our favor with cloudy skies and cool temperatures. Several paddlers were heard commenting that the river was running fast as well.
This year there were 114 vessels and 133 paddlers including stand up paddle boards. Some of the participants raced, and some took a leisurely paddle down the river. There were even some best decorated vessels. The best decorated prize went Grace Holt for her jungle themed paddle board complete with monkeys and snakes. Second place in the best decorated division went to Delaney Alden from JC’s Dairy with her Margaritaville themed kayak.
The fastest boat overall was Joel Pekosz in the Kayak Single (Men) division with an amazing time of 50:16! First place in the Canoe Double (Men) division went to Bob Darmagnac and Dean Gaskill with a time of 1:06. First place in the Canoe Double (Men) Senior Division 65+ went to David McPherson and George Kennedy with a time of 1:11:40.
In Canoe Double (Mixed M/F), first place went to Ty and Gracie Dell at 1:08:27. The Canoe Family (At least 1 child under age 16) division was won by Brycen Spencer, Chris Spicer, Weston Spencer (age 5), and Blake Spencer (age 5) finishing with a 1:33:14.
The Canoe Single (Men) Senior Division 65+ was won by Joe Lukaszevicz at 1:02:05. Brian and Ani Deery won the Kayak Double (All) division with a time of 1:18:43. The Kayak Double (All) Senior Division 65+ was won by veteran team Ed and Beverly DellaValle with a time of 1:27:10. In the Kayak Single (Men) division, Rustin McIntosh came in first at 1:01:56. Kayak Single (Men) Senior Division 65+ was won by Bob Balla with a 1:06:43 finish.
In the Kayak Single (Women) division, Chandra Grim came in first at 1:10:49. Pam Browning won the Kayak Single (Women) Senior Division 65+ with a time of 1:05:43. The Kayak Single (Women) Senior Division 65+ winner was Cynthia Umbrianna at 2:17:27. The Racing Kayak (Men) division was won by Joel Pekosz with the fastest time of the day at 50:16. The Racing Kayak (Men) Senior Division 65+ first place winner was David Wiltey with a time of 54:51. In the Racing Kayak (Women) division, first place went to Kendra Lasssor with a time of 1:01:01.
Stephen O’Kane won the Rowing Single Slide (Men) division with a 2:01:40 time. The Rowing Single Slide (Women) first place finish went to Renee Koler with a 1:46:07 time. Rowing (Fixed Seat Single) was won by Michael Cushing with a time of 1:10:54. Craig Wolfe and Susan Bryant won the Rowing Sliding Seat Double division at 59:15.
First place in the Stand Up Paddle Board (Men) went to Sean Doherty with a time of 1:19:32. And the Stand Up Paddle Board (Women) first place winner was Kimberly Schive with a 1:18:02 finish.
Click here to see the medal winners and their times. Click here to see all the results.
Check out our Facebook page to see photos from the race and awards party.
A special thank you to the Marshfield and Pembroke Fire and Police, Norwell Police, and Hanover Police for keeping all the racers safe. And thank you to all the volunteers, we couldn’t have done this without you!
Thank you to all of our 2024 Great River Race Corporate Sponsors, please support them with your business!
