Columbia paddlers win river race from Hartsburg to Jefferson City

Jefferson City resident Marty Miller greets his two sons, Miles, almost 4, and Oliver, almost 2, after being one of the top racers to finish the second annual Race to the Dome canoe/kayak event on Sunday. His partner was Terrance LePage of Jefferson City.
Jefferson City resident Marty Miller greets his two sons, Miles, almost 4, and Oliver, almost 2, after being one of the top racers to finish the second annual Race to the Dome canoe/kayak event on Sunday. His partner was Terrance LePage of Jefferson City.

First across the finish line of Sunday's Race to the Dome canoe/kayak fundraiser were two Columbia athletes who took their win in stride.

"This is what I do now. I'm old now," said Alan Eyink, a former Miami (Ohio) University football player. His partner was Eli Smith, a former wrestler at Lebanon High School.

While Eyink has competed in paddling races before, it was Smith's first. They led a total of 112 paddlers in 71 boats that competed in two races.