Ages: 9 years & over
Bring completed waiver to registration the morning of the race.
Combine the thrills of Hinckley Reservation in this fun but challenging race. Start with a 3.3 mile run around Hinckley Lake. Then, hop into your kayak, SUP, or canoe (see details below) and paddle 1.5 laps around Hinckley Lake. After the lake portion, bike 9 miles on paved surfaces (road and all-purpose trail) to the finish line.
Important Reminders
All kayaks and canoes must be
registered before using them in this race.
Race Distances and Categories
This race is intended for all skill levels, and while this event is competitive in nature, the focus is on a fun race experience. All pre-registered guests will receive a race item. The top 3 finishers in each category will receive a medal.
- Individual: 12 years & over. Start at the spillway. Awards are for top 3 overall male and female as well as the top 3 males and females in the following age divisions: 12-18, 19-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+
- Team: 9 years & over with registered and participating adult. Teams consist of 2 people. Teams must stay together throughout the entire race and finish together. Start at the spillway. Awards for top 3 teams.
- Relay: 12 years & over. A relay is a group of 2 or 3 people with each person completing a leg of the race. If you have a 2-person relay, and one person is completing the first and last leg, they may have to run/walk from the boathouse where the run finishes to the spillway where the cycling starts. The first person on the relay will start running at the spillway. The second person will start kayaking at Hinckley Lake Boathouse. The third person will start cycling at the spillway. Awards for top 3 relays.
Fee
- Individual: $65
- Team: $90
- Relay: $110
*Unless noted, fee includes snacks and race item while supplies last.
Race Day On-Site Registration
- Individual: $75
- Team: $100
- Relay: $120
Online registration closes at noon on September 14. To guarantee a race item in your size, register before August 28. Day of registration available, space permitting.
Reserving Equipment
- Kayaks
- A limited supply of sit-on-top kayaks (including your paddle and lifejacket) can be reserved for $25/person. Tandem kayaks are $50 (2 people). Reserve your sit-on-top kayak online from Burning River Adventures (Paddle the River, LLC.): 330-969-2628. Equipment reservations close at the same time as race registrations, noon on September 14
- SUPS and Canoes are not available for rent.
Route
All categories will race a 3.3 mile run on a combination asphalt and natural surface trail followed by 1.5 laps around the perimeter of Hinckley Lake, paddling approximately 1.5 miles. The race finishes with a 3 lap bike ride on a closed route for a total of a 9 mile bike ride. Cyclists will primarily be on roads. The course will contain a short section on the All Purpose Trail along State Road.
Schedule
Saturday, September 16
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration, packet pick-up, and kayak drop-off
8:30 a.m. Kayak drop-off area closes; roads will close for race
8:45 a.m. Pre-race announcements
9 a.m. Race starts
TBD Awards will be given as most people finish.
Specifics
- All racers are required to wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket during the paddling portion and a helmet during the cycling portion.
- All racers must wear footwear during the entire race.
- Guests bringing their own kayaks or canoes must have current registration. SUPs don’t require registration.
- Flush toilets and port-a-johns are available at the spillway.
- Food available after the race.
- A bin will be available at Hinckley Lake Boathouse and brought back to the spillway if you’d like to leave anything during the transition.
- Cleveland Metroparks is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal property during the race.
Paddling Portion
Due to numerous requests, in addition to kayaks, we are allowing stand up paddleboards and canoes to compete in the paddling portion. All crafts will compete in the same category…you choose the craft that is right for you. The takeout near the spillway has large rocks and drops off pretty quickly about 5-6 feet from shore. Because of this, we have special rules all SUPs must follow. If these rules are NOT followed, we may not allow SUPs in future years…it is up to you!
SUPs
- When approaching shore, go to your knees. NO standing and getting off your board.
- You are responsible for safely getting off your board and carrying it up the steep hill.
- Be cautious about running your board into shore.
- Keep in mind the water drops off about 5-6’ from shore.
- Shoes/footwear (not flip flops) are REQUIRED when getting off your board, or you will be DISQUALIFIED. This is for your safety. Paddleboarders may take off their shoes when on the water but when launching/landing shoes MUST be on.
- Your shoes WILL get wet if you SUP.
- Staff/volunteers might be available to assist but will likely be helping carry heavier crafts such as kayaks/canoes.
- If you aren’t able to meet these rules, please DON’T use a SUP for this race.
- SUPs & canoes will not be available to reserve.
Tandem Kayaks and 2-person Canoes
- Anyone racing with 2 people on their craft (tandem kayak or canoes) MUST register as a TEAM. You CANNOT paddle with 2 people in a craft and register for the individual category.
- No more than 2 people are permitted in a canoe at a time.
Past Race Results
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy.
General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, in the event of an unexpected capsize, to breathe independently and maintain a seal with their mouth (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing), and independently demonstrate the ability to self-right him or herself from face down to face up position while wearing the appropriate PFD.
- …must be able to independently hold their head and neck upright (without restraints), in order to maintain proper body positioning, avoid an unexpected capsize, and freely exit watercraft.
- …must be able to reenter the watercraft in deep water independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly including but not limited to PFD (Personal Flotation Device), helmet and harness.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel at least 1 mile on varying terrain as well as be able to carry their own gear on backpacking trips.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel on sloped, natural surface trails with rocks and roots for varying distances to get to a climbing site void of amenities such as restroom facilities, water, etc.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must refrain from having any external devices other than required climbing safety equipment.
- …must be able to, for extended trips only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.
All boating programs are funded in part through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Watercraft.