Competitors in the 15th annual Missouri American Water MR340 race are expected to be in Jefferson City around daybreak Wednesday.
The competition began Tuesday morning in Kansas City, and the race ends 340 miles to the east in St. Charles. Boaters have 88 hours to complete the course. The last day for the race is Friday.
The first racers are expected to get to Wilson's Serenity Point at the Noren Missouri River Access in Jefferson City between 6-7 a.m. Wednesday.
Race Director Scott Mansker said the MR340 made a number of changes this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In March we had 550 boats signed up for the race, but when the pandemic hit we offered boaters the possibility to defer a year, and 200 boaters took advantage of that - so we'll have 350 boats with over 500 athletes competing this year," Mankser said. "They represent all skill sets."
Mansker said they also held safety meetings online instead of in person, and their awards ceremony will not be Friday night as it has in the past. They'll hand out awards as the people finish the race.
"Everyone has to wear a mask at the start of the race, and they can take it off or pull it down while they're on the river," Mansker said. "At the nine checkpoints they'll put them back on. We expect 100 percent compliance from the racers and their ground crews. Spectators don't have to wear a mask, but we would appreciate people wearing one."
Only two-thirds of the teams were able to finish the race last year, Mansker said. The current is about 3 mph, and the biggest hazards to paddlers would be motorboats, mostly fishermen, and the occasional towboat pushing barges. In-river obstacles would include wing dikes, buoys and bridge pilings.
Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard, the river is marked over the entire course with mileage and channel markers. Mankser said it is almost impossible not to know, within a mile or less, your exact location on the course.
"Health officials tell us this is still considered a safe activity the way we have it structured," Mansker said. "The record finish is 33 hours, and we're expecting the first boat getting in to St. Charles around 34 hours."
For more information about the MR340 and to follow the progress of the racers, visit rivermiles.com/mr340.