S5,E27: Consumers Energy Au Sable River Canoe Marathon 2023: Everything to know! (July 8-9, 2023)

Jul 10, 2023 · 44m 49s
S5,E27: Consumers Energy Au Sable River Canoe Marathon 2023: Everything to know! (July 8-9, 2023)
Description

The 75th Annual Consumers Energy Au Sable River Canoe Marathon takes place July 29 and 30, 2023. This grueling, 120-mile canoe race is legendary for elite paddlers. For the rest...

show more
The 75th Annual Consumers Energy Au Sable River Canoe Marathon takes place July 29 and 30, 2023. This grueling, 120-mile canoe race is legendary for elite paddlers. For the rest of us? It’s been called “the world’s toughest spectator race”, so we knew we had to go behind the scenes and get the scoop. This event is an excellent excuse to head to downtown Grayling, and Behind the Mitten can’t wait to attend. On this week’s show, we get our paddles out and go behind the scenes of this big summer event.

Our friends at Consumers Energy sponsor this event each year, and Brian Wheeler, Media Relations Manager for Consumers joins us to discuss their involvement through the years, and why this event is so important to both the company and the community. He’s joined by Hilary Wells, Hydro Operations Forager for Consumers, who shares what her role is in managing the areas around the portage sites for the race, as well as her involvement as a volunteer.


Did you know that the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon attracts racers from as far away as Australia? Neither did we! Or that there are six Consumers hydro dams along the race route that paddlers have to portage? We learn that these clean, renewable energy sources also provide excellent vantage points to watch the race from along the river. We look at some of the interesting facts surrounding this crazy overnight race during segment two.


For segment three, we are joined by Rae Gosling, owner of the HIdden Nook Bookstore, and former director of Downtown Grayling. She shares what it’s like at the very exciting start of the race, which occurs through the streets of downtown at 9 pm on Saturday night. She also gives some of the details of the week-long lead-up to the marathon during River Fest.


Finally, we have a really interesting interview with Steve Southard, Director of Media and Communication for the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. He explains all sorts of stuff about the race and its history, including just what HUP All Night means.


Also, be sure to check out "How It Started" - Episode 1 of the "Au Sable" docuseries about the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon. It can now be viewed on both Facebook and YouTube.
You Tube
AuSable River Canoe Marathon Facebook Page.

Created in collaboration with the Consumers Energy Production Team, and narrated by Detroit Pistons and Michigan State Spartans announcer George Blaha - "Au Sable", the three-part docuseries - tells the story of the river, the race, and the legends that have shaped the 75-year history of the race. Look for episodes 2 and 3 of "AuSable" which will debut in about the third week of July and August, respectively.





show less
Information
Author John Gonzalez
Organization John Gonzalez
Website -
Tags

Looks like you don't have any active episode

Browse Spreaker Catalogue to discover great new content

Current

Podcast Cover

Looks like you don't have any episodes in your queue

Browse Spreaker Catalogue to discover great new content

Next Up

Episode Cover Episode Cover

It's so quiet here...

Time to discover new episodes!

Discover
Your Library
Search