Ninety-four competitors in 82 kayaks and canoes spent last Saturday paddling the near-pristine waters of the Powell River as they glided along some 12 miles of winding waterway from the start point at the Well Being Conference Center to the end point near Riverside Rentals in Harrogate.
The event drew participants from near and far, ranging from age 20 to 74 years of age. There were 28 racers from across the nation who descended upon the county to compete in the event, matching their skills and expertise with 45 paddlers from across the state and 21 ‘home grown’ enthusiasts.
South Carolina resident Rick Carter came away with the overall men’s championship, followed closely by Knoxville resident Jim Brunton and Randy Ray, from Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Carter’s time on the water was just one hour and 47 minutes long.
Powell resident Mary Elizabeth Flynn clocked her time in the water at two hours and 12 minutes, garnering the overall women’s championship.
In just two years, the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce Powell River Tourism Committee has managed to nearly double the number of participants and widen the scope of its popularity with enthusiasts from nearly every corner of the country.
Fourteen local businesses and organizations donated over $4,000 to the Regatta and its beneficiary, the Powell River Blueway Trail Project.
“The project was created to identify, improve and publicize public access points along the 114 miles of the Powell River as it winds through northeast Tennessee. Over 70 miles of the river is located inside Claiborne County,” said Don Oakley, chairman of the Powell River Tourism Committee.
Event goers were assisted by 54 volunteers who, Oakley says, contributed much to the success of the Regatta.
“We received many comments about how friendly and helpful everyone was from the people directing vehicles to helping to get boats in and out of the water, to the meal prep team, registration, the awards team, finish line timing and shuttle drivers,” said Oakley.
Roger Hager and members of E-911 were on hand, with teams in and out of the water, in case of emergency. However, Oakley says there were no injuries, despite the low river water conditions.
First and second place finishers in each of the nine participating categories won $150 and $50 each, respectively.
For the full race results, log onto: powellriverblueway.org.
Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.
