Canoe event has record turnout

The Spokane River Canoe Classic enjoyed brilliant weather and record attendance this year, said event director John Schwartz.

The event, which started at Corbin Park in Post Falls, drew 119 participants, compared to last year’s 86, Schwartz said.

River runners chose from two courses – a six-mile course past the state line to the Harvard Road Bridge or a 13-mile course to Plantes Ferry Park.

Seeing all the multicolored canoes and kayaks in the water at Corbin Park was a thrill, said Schwartz, who added that there were just a few “swimmers” who fell out of their boats.

Tandem canoe team Stan Mrzygod and Caleb Mrzygod had the fastest overall time in the six-mile race.

The outrigger canoe team of Alison Scott and Jim Bauer won the 13-mile race.

Division winners:

Citizens’ six-mile race

Men’s tandem canoe, Stan Mrzygod and Caleb Mrzygod, 50:20

Mixed tandem kayak, Duane Wilson and Katie Wilson, 1:02:37

Mixed tandem canoe, Mike Higgins and Sarah Higgins, 55:30

Women’s tandem canoe, Liza Parmely and Ginny Wilson, 1:06:02

Men’s single kayak, Tony Macian, 1:00:46

Men’s single canoe, Stan Miller, 1:10:26

Women’s single kayak, Suzanne Jewell, 1:08:04

Men’s tandem kayak, Wes Franks and Wesley Franks, 1:10:47

Marathon 13-mile race

Outrigger, Mixed, Alison Scott and Jim Bauer, 1:33:58

Mixed tandem canoe, Steve Salins and Karn Neilsen, 1:52:45

Men’s tandem canoe, Kent Larson and Wyeth Larson, 1:58:50

Men’s single kayak, Pat Harbine, 1:49:52

Men’s single canoe, Scott Krentel, 2:11:37

Women’s single kayak, Laurel Fish, 2:11:33

Men’s tandem kayak, Doug Meyers and Chris Meyers, 2:12:24