Event Description

The 2013 Lincoln Heritage Water Trail Abe’s River Race will provide paddlers the opportunity to explore the lower Sangamon River as it flows north from Sangamon County to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg, Illinois. The Sangamon River in October is more often low, with a narrow channel and little current. The Challenge for racers will be to navigate the twisting six miles of river, round sandbars that cling to the bones of ancient beasts and along steep banks lined by old growth hardwoods and the ghosts of abandoned sites, mills, river crossings, and farms long forgotten. The inaugural Lincoln Heritage Water Trail Abe's River Race will include at least five (5) divisions: Racing Canoe (RC1); Recreational Canoe (RC2); Racing Kayak (RK1); and Recreational Kayak (RK2); and Rendezvous Boat (RB). Awards will be presented to the first place finisher of each division. ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN OUT AT THE POST RACE RECEPTION AT THE RIVERBANK LODGE, IN PETERSBURG. The Rendezvous/Wooden Boat division is an open category for all wooden boats, historical in nature, and of any length. We encourage participants in this division to embrace the local cultural history and heritage of the Sangamon River. A special award, the Abe’s Paddle-Axe will be presented to the boat and/or team that best represents this division.

Website: http://www.lincolnheritagewatertrail.org/race.html