The 70 Mile Race Course
The race begins on beautiful Otsego Lake, where conditions can vary from dead calm to foggy to windy with considerable choppy water. The starting line is 100’ out in the lake at Brookwood Point. An imaginary line between two points, usually, buoys and starter barge. After the start gun, proceed for approximately 2 miles to the mouth of the river in a left to right direction. The mouth of the river is narrow and shallow which creates havoc and excitement.
The first obstacle, Otsego Lake (Bassett Dam), comes about half a mile into the river. The dam is portaged in organized chaos. Most teams elect to use the left side of the river for the ease of stepping out of the canoe and the short run. There are different paths to take, the most direct is the furthest to the left. Once you put back in, the next 12 miles are the ones that could make or break any team. This stretch of river contains narrow hairpin turns with difficult obstacles, including: logs, branches, rocks and challenging water current. Sometimes, it seems these obstacles appear out of nowhere, sitting just below the murky surface. Usually, the higher the water, the better the conditions. However, more care is required since the higher, faster water means split second decision making. Practicing this section is important to familiarize yourself with the route and the obstacles.
Milford is the town along the route, about two to three hours into the race. The river widens and has less current at this point. It is a perfect spot for your first pit stop. Teams are given fluids and food from their support crews either from boat or from the shoreline. It is also a good time to gain information about the race: your position, your splits from the competition, etc. After Milford, the turns are more gradual, but continue to set yourself up for every anticipated turn.
Your goal should be to conserve energy while trying to maintain a good pace. At this point, teams tend to pack up, especially in the pro race, to ride wake, while getting a sense for Goodyear Lake and down river strategy. Remain vigilant for obstacles for they can still pop out at you! As your pack approaches Goodyear Lake, on the curve below Portlandville Bridge, a major sprint may occur intended to test the health of the competition. The shallow water forces every team to work hard to stay up with the pack. Leads are often built or lost here.
At the end of Goodyear Lake is a difficult, hilly portage which will take all of your energy. The footing is always slippery and the area tends to get bottle-necked with canoes. If the water levels are high, brace yourself for a ride on the wild side to Southside Dam after Goodyear portage. A particularly difficult and dangerous section is just after the F & F Airport where the river narrows and drops quite a few feet in less than a mile. The last portage, Southside Dam, is fairly routine. You will exit the river just before the dam on the right side. It is well marked. From this dam to the sewage treatment plant, the river can be quite fast. It helps to be able to read where the best water is. The two miles after the plant can literally become a drag. I usually refer to this section as junk water. It is hard to get the boat up unless you are fresh.
As you near Otego, the river deepens and is fairly easy to read. From Wells Bridge to the finish line, the river is mainly shallow. You need to be alert and ready to hit a sprint when the water is really shallow. This is the point in the race that the hours of training really pay off.
Entering the village of Unadilla, you will be paddling over the remains of a dam. Follow the water flow where it comes to a Vee, there will be a slight drop and then you hit the shallows again. The final major obstacle (excluding a possible finish line sprint with the competition), is what is commonly referred to as Green Acres, located just above Sidney. The river divides into two channels. The river is ever evolving and it is entirely up to the paddler which path to take. It is important to watch for downed trees, sharp turns and strong current. This is another section of the river that warrants a pre-race run. It is difficult to anticipate the direction the river will take you, because of the sharp corners and obstacles. Once you are under the Sidney Bridge, you have about 5 miles of relatively fast moving current with a few sets of shallows and gravel bars to negotiate. Midway to Bainbridge at the railroad tressle, you need to maneuver through some eddies and narrow shoots of current. Then it's off to the Finish Line, your finishers patch and chicken dinner!
Tips for Paddlers
Training and Safety
As the name of the General Clinton “70 Miler” endurance flat water canoe race implies, it is a long race and can be a long day. It is an endurance marathon and is very mentally and physically taxing.
Training for this marathon canoe race is highly recommended and once winter turns to spring, many paddlers train on the water. Paddlers will need a knowledge of the Susquehanna River and a support team (Pit Crew) to provide food and fluids during the race. After lifting weights all winter and other endurance type activities it is wise to put some time in paddling on a river. Early spring paddling requires a wet or dry suite, life jackets, and proper attire for paddling in cold water and turbulent weather.
Tips for outfitting your canoe for a race:
- Seat pads in either ½” grey black or ¾” purple, green “ridge rest” foam are mounted onto the saddle seats.
- Bow person may want to consider a foot brace made of ethofoam. There are also adjustable bow foot braces available that adjust to the size of the bow paddlers leg length providing a better more comfortable fit.
- Drink system includes a jug mounted in ethofoam directly behind the seats. Many paddlers use 2-liter plastic soda bottles or Coleman Cooler jugs. This system allows easy removal of the jugs throughout the race.
- A food grade, safe clean flexible hose extending from the bottom of your jug to your mouth with a few inches slack allows the paddler to slide forward in the canoe while hydrating. Velcro on the tubing and the inside gunnels of the canoe can be used to keep the hose at an elevated position when not in use.
- Extra racing paddles, minimum 2 extra paddles are recommended mounted in the canoe.
- Pealess whistles are required by law in New York State to call for help in an emergency situation. These can be taped in on the inside of the canoe.
- Two USCG-approved (Type I, II or III) inherently buoyant lifejackets/PFD's
- Canoe numbers are to be applied to each side of the canoe on the bow. It is highly recommended that this be done no later than the prior night of the race when the canoe surface is dry. The canoe number decals are to remain on the canoe until the completion of the race. If a canoe number peels off during the race it is the responsibility of the team captain or paddler to inform the finish line officials immediately after the canoe has crossed the finish line.
Supplements
Paddlers are responsible for their own food and water. Hydration and other electrolyte replenishment can be critical to keep your energy level consistent throughout the race. This is a marathon race and supplements such as electrolyte drinks, Ensure, Boost, energy bars, gels and fruit are often used by racers.
Littering
Contestants are not to throw trash such as jugs, cups, plastic bags, etc. into the river. The pit crews are responsible for all clean-up during and after each pit stop. At portages (Dams), teams may empty their boat of accumulated trash, to be picked up by a pit crew.
The Regatta Committee will establish a specific individual who will act as monitoring for littering. Enforcement and penalty assessment shall be the responsibility of the Regatta Committee.
Sportsmanship
Commonly accepted rules of sportsmanship will prevail.
Intentional capsizing or damaging an opponent’s canoe, or other flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct, will result in disqualification.
Under no circumstances shall any illegal drug (s) be taken.