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Father-son duo joins 228 paddlers in epic 120-mile Au Sable River race

Canoe racers paddle down the Au Sable River while a crowd of spectators looks on
The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon was created more than 75 years ago. This year’s event featured 230 racers, more than ever before, with paddlers from 21 states and four countries. Racers in canoe No. 24 are the father and son team of Chris and Ethan Kucharek, of Grayling. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
July 27, 2025
Josh Boland & Laura Herberg (Email)
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Father-son duo joins 228 paddlers in epic 120-mile Au Sable River race
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  • Paddlers race 120 miles overnight from Grayling to Oscoda in the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
  • A record 230 racers from 21 states and four countries competed in the 77th annual race
  • Billed as the ‘world's toughest spectator race,’ fans gather along dams and bridges to watch the racers compete through the night and into the morning

The 77th Au Sable River Canoe Marathon wrapped up Sunday. 

It was a record year in terms of competitors for the 120-mile race that runs from Grayling to Oscoda. There were 230 racers, more than ever before, with paddlers from 21 states and four countries. 

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Chris Kucharek, of Grayling, grew up watching his uncle race and Chris and his wife, Marlana, used to race together when they started dating. Now, it is their son, Ethan’s, turn. The 19-year-old competed in his first-ever marathon with his dad acting as coach, which isn’t a new role for Chris. He’s coached his son both in football and basketball. 

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“The bond we have on the football field and the basketball court just carried into the canoe,” he said. 

The pair fell short of their goal to finish in the top 40. They placed 44th, completing the race in 16 hours, 22 minutes and 52 seconds.

A line of canoe racers walk toward the starting line
Chris and Ethan Kucharek, of Grayling, head to pick up their canoe with Ethan’s girlfriend, Jillian Hartman, and mom, Marlana Kucharek. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
A collage of images shows someone signing autographs, an up-close shot of an autograph, and people running to begin a canoe race
(Top left) Chris Kucharek signs autographs for young spectators before the start of the canoe marathon. (Top right) As the sun starts to set, Jordan Wakeley gets a quick drink before the race begins. (Bottom left) Chris Kucharek’s signature graces a shirt with his and his son’s initials. Chris is the junior varsity football coach in Grayling. (Bottom right) Ethan Kucharek preps for the start of the race with members of his “feeders” crew standing by. The “feeders” will meet the competitors along the route to provide food and hydration over the course of the 120-mile route. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan) 
A crowd of spectators cheers
The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon isn’t just a feat for the competitors. It’s billed as the world’s toughest spectator race, with fans stopping at more than a dozen dams and bridges. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan) 
A nighttime scene shows spectators watching canoe racers paddle past
Spectators crowd McMasters Bridge over the Au Sable River as competitors, illuminated by spotlights, glide by. The race starts at 9 p.m. with a running start in downtown Grayling and then competitors paddle nonstop through the night and into the next day. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
A collage of photos shows several nighttime scenes of a canoe race
(Top left) A fallen tree makes a convenient spot to watch the competitors make their way down the river during the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, which begins in Grayling and ends 120 miles downstream in Oscoda. (Top right) Marlana Kucharek fills up water bottles for her son and husband, who are competing in the canoe marathon. (Bottom left) An avid fan, Kane Madsen, who is originally from Grayling, laughs with other spectators along the route of the canoe marathon in the middle of the night. (Bottom right) On a bridge over the Au Sable, spectators wait for competitors to canoe past. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
Canoe racers line up along the shore as people on shore pass them food and water
Racers make a stop to hydrate before continuing down the Au Sable River. Each pair of paddlers has a crew to help them along the route. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan) 
At night, a crowd gathers on a bridge and on a riverbank to watch canoe racers paddle past
Spectators fill the bridge and line the shore as racers pass under McKinley Bridge and feeders wait in the water to supply the racers with hydration and food. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
Two women help a canoe racer take his shirt off as he portages during a race
Jillian Hartman helps Ethan Kucharek take off his shirt while portaging his canoe with his dad during the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
This collage of photos shows people petting a dog and a man and woman hugging
(Left) Emma Kucharek and her mom, Marlana, pet a dog while waiting to help Ethan and Chris Kucharek with hydration and food at Alcona Dam. (Right) Kane Madsen embraces his wife, Amy, at Alcona Dam. A native of Grayling, Kane has been attending the canoe marathon since he was a teenager. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
A crowd of people stand shin-deep in a river to cheer on passing canoe racers
The Kucharek family cheers as Ethan and Chris Kucharek paddle past at Whirlpool Angler Access. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
Two men paddle canoes during a race down a river
(Left) Ethan Kucharek paddles beside Eric Batway at Whirlpool Angler Access point with teammates Chris Kucharek and Jim Harwood. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
Canoeists paddle down a river during a race
(Left) Eric Batway and Jim Harwood cross the finish line just before Ethan and Chris Kucharek. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
A collage of photos shows a close-up of blistered hands and a woman comforting a man who rests his head on a table
(Left) Ethan Kucharek’s hands are covered in blisters after more than 16 hours of paddling. (Right) Marlana Kucharek sits with her husband, Chris, after he completed the grueling Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. This was his ninth competition. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)
A woman kisses a man
Ethan Kucharek and his girlfriend, Jillian Hartman, kiss at the end of the canoe marathon. Jillian was on Ethan’s “feeder” crew, helping him and his dad complete the 120-mile race. (Josh Boland/Bridge Michigan)

Your Michigan Dreaming Ultimate Summer Bucket List

Here’s what else we’ve done so far:

#10 — Ride the Silver Lake Dunes

 #8 — Chill with sled dogs at MI Dog

#6 — ‘Climb’ to the top of Mount Arvon

#5 — Visit the Jampot in Eagle Harbor

#1 — Sleep in a lighthouse

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