The race is on

Teams to race over water, land in Great Canoe Race July 8

COLUMBIA BASIN — The second weekend in July is significant for those with a competitive side.

If you get a thrill out of testing the limits of your physical strength in the midst of summer, when it is not uncommon for temperatures in the Basin to reach near 100 degrees, the annual 17 and a half mile Great Canoe Race is such an occasion.

"If it's a hot day it can be a pretty brutal race," said Caleb McNamara, organizer for this year's event.

Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, teams will take off from Park Lake.

From there they will head toward Soap Lake paddling part of the time and then running certain legs of the race as teams cross dry land areas.

First place winner takes home a $500 purse.

Nick Bauer of Spokane and nephew Brad of Seattle won the 2005 race coming in at 2 hours and 30 minutes, just 13 minutes shy of beating the 1991 record at 2 hours and 17 minutes.

It is unknown if the Bauer team will be back this year.

"We're trying to get the race back to where it was," McNamara said.

That was a time years ago when the race attracted more than 80 teams.

Initially the race began 27 years ago as a way to bring the community together.

Last year 14 teams participated and for the 2006 event McNamara is hoping 15 to 20 make it out this time around.

And team members are not the only ones that prepare for the upcoming race.

Owners of Kings Ranch and Arena, which moves its cattle and horses for the event, and Blue Lake Resort allow racers to use their land which is located on part of the course, McNamara said thanking them.

Without the help of everyone the race could not be held, he added.