2015

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

• Missouri River Relief's 2015 Photos
• Kansas City Star Photo Gallery of race start
• TONS of drone photos for download or purchase by Columbia artist Paul Jackson
• Photos by Bernie Arnold - Hermann, July 29 • St. Charles, July 30
• Photos by Brian Waldrop - Hermann, July 29 • More from Hermann
• Photos by Whitney Smith - Cooley Lake, July 28
• A few photos by Kile Brewer at Wilson's Serenity Point - Jefferson City

Videos

• Stunning compilation of aerial video by Columbia artist Paul Jackson - "MR340 - Floating Dreams"
• More stuff from Paul Jackson - Solo Race Start (stunning shot) • Tandem boat start • Quick Clip of the "Ladies of the River" • Sunset at Miami Checkpoint • Foggy morning at Wilson's Serenity Point, Jeff. City • Landing at WSP • Another cool aerial paddling shot • Sunset over Hermann • "A Hole in the Clouds" • 
• "And they're off" - video of race start by Shane Keyser, Kansas City Star. 
• "Hundreds of paddlers set out on 340-mile canoe trip down Missouri River" - by WDAF Fox TV
• Rusty Self's 340 Recap video
• Time Lapse of Team and Tandem start  by Ryan Hartman
• Videos of Jeff and Tab Zuch • Pre Race Start • Race Start • Video 3 • Pit Stop
• KSHB-TV - "Missouri American Water River Race begins at Kaw Point Park"
• "Blake Thornton: No 1 Stand Up Paddler - Darkhorse mathematician sets record in 340-mile river race" - video and article by Washington University. 
• 23 minute video of a three man team #1217, Justin Larned, Aaron Hoefer and John Hoefer
• A 16 minute video by Jean Peacock
• Another view of the tandem and team start
• A personal video of a solo boater
• AUDIO - Interview with SUP record holder Blake Thornton and his support crew Victor Wickerhauser

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

• "We Have Rivers" - a poem by Mitch Story, ground crew for Matthew Story. 
• "Boat 0467: The best days of my life that led to the best days of my life" - by Bob Hines.
• "Sega's Bill Romines completes impressive journey" - by Bill Romines
• "2015 Missouri River 340" by Charles Goodson