Participants overcome obstacles to complete an incredible journey

By SALLY SEXTON
The Palestine Herald

August 02, 2008 11:23 pm

— NECHES — At the start of Saturday’s canoe race, things were not exactly smooth paddling.
After battling generator failure, heat and a lack of volunteers, the 18th annual Wilderness Canoe Race got off to a delayed but steady start amidst temperatures nearing triple-digits Saturday afternoon.
“We had a few more wrinkles than in previous years, but we overcame them and everything eventually smoothed out,” said president and coordinator of the race Ed Furman. “I have become a believer that if you’re doing the right thing, it will all work out.”
Over 60 participants showed up to paddle through the race, with the first group starting at 8:42 a.m.
“We had some problems in the beginning, but everything was under control and we had everyone pass the first checkpoint by 11:45 a.m., which is a little faster than last year,” Candace Dillon, secretary of the event, said.
From a starting point at Lake Palestine, participants raced along a 22-mile course down the Neches River.
Racers were grouped into five categories — amateur, leisure, pro-class, aluminum and solo.
Kathryn Mendenhall was the first canoeist to cross the finish line with a time of 4:40.19.
The 17-year-old, who has been competing since the age of 10, was racing with her father, Thomas, and finished her fifth Wilderness race.
“I like this race because every 500 yards, there is a tree to duck under or a log to paddle over,” Mendenhall said. “Despite the obstacles, it’s really shady and the race seemed to go by a whole lot faster this year.”
Mendenhall races in a Pygmy, which her dad built from a kit.
“I do it for fun and a lot of my friends think I’m crazy but I love it,” Mendenhall said.
With a time of 3:59.36, Steve Watson, of Jacksonville, crossed the finish line in his kayak in the solo division.
This was Watson’s fifth year to race.
“For its length, it is a very hard race because of the obstacles,” Watson said. “The water was kind of low so it’s hard to get into a steady rhythm.”
The Jacksonville resident got started with his fishing kayak and has raced solo ever since.
“I’ve never had a partner,” Watson said. “It’s just a fun thing to do and a great hobby.”
The Wilderness Race, hosted by the East Texas River Runners Inc., is a scholarship benefit for future Trinity Valley Community College students.
Last year, $2,000 in scholarships were awarded to 18 students.
“A lot of advanced people are turning towards our race and use it to practice skills for other races,” Furman said. “It takes a special breed of people to do this all of the time.”
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Sally Sexton can be reached via e-mail at sports2@palestineherald.com

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