2015, the 10th Annual Missouri River 340, will be known for its high water, extremely hot first day and "The Storm". Even up to the last hours before the race, a series of thunderstorms rolling across northwestern Missouri pushed river projections for the race very close to flood stage, which would force organizers to close the race course. That never happened and the race went as planned.
This was the largest run ever, with two dramatic starts - first all solos, then tandems and teams. The first day was brutally hot, with many participants quitting the race at one of the first few checkpoints. On the evening of the first night, a storm rolled through Miami to Glasgow. With such high water, racers were forced to find little spots on the muddy banks to hunker down and wait through the storm, which lasted for several hours in some places. One group hunkered down under a riverside cabin and others waited in boat ramp privies for the storm to calm down.
The race leaders largely missed the storm, and this is reflected in the large number of records that fell this race.
Photos
Videos
News Articles
- The Sedalia Observer - "Sedalian to compete in annual river race" - by Randy Kirby, July 22, 2015. About racer Barry Brock.
- Kansas City Star - "Hundreds of paddlers hit the river for the Missouri American Water MR340" - by Austin Huguelet, July 28, 2015; "Canoeists set record in paddling 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles, Mo." - by Associated Press, July 30, 2015
- Columbia Missourian - "Columbia river racers gear up to beat the heat for 340 miles" • July 29, 2015 - "Missouri 340 boaters near checkpoint at Katfish Katy's" (includes Twitter compilation) "Checkpoint offers supplies, brief respite for racers in Missouri River 340" • July 30, 2015 - "Swift river drives record times in Missouri River 340" - articles by Kayla Piedemonti - July 27, 2015
- St. Louis Post Dispatch - "Canoeists set a new record for paddling from KC to St. Charles" - • "Texas tandem captures 10th Missouri river race" by Jack Witthaus, July 29, 2015
- Jefferson City News-Tribune - "Rescue boat aids river race paddler in distress" - by Jeff Haldiman, July 31, 2015
- Columbia Tribune - "River race leaders stop at Huntsdale" - by Jodie Jackson - July 29, 2015
- South County Times - "Float Trip" by Leslie McCarthy, Aug. 7, 2015 about #0128 (Norco Express)
- Morning Ag Clips - "Conquering the Mighty Mo" about the "AgRowers"
- Bozeman Daily Chronicle - "Gallatin Gateway kayaker finding niche in long-distance races" - by Michael Applegate, Aug. 1, 2015 - about Dave Hutchison
- KRCG-13 - "Coaches canoe to honor 50 years of Jays wrestling" - by Ashley Zavala, July 29, 2015
- News Gazette - "Tough Flow to Row" - by Jodi Heckel, August 11, 2015. About Steven Butler and Nathan Willard.
- Richmond News - "Neither wind, rain nor debris kept Sanson from his goals" - by racer Gary Sanson.
- Lebanon Daily News - "Paddle power: Looking for a racing adventure, J.D. Moore found a three-day rush by kayak down the Missouri River"
Blogs and Such
