Unseasonably cool temperatures, cloudy skies and a constant threat of rain failed to put a damper on one of the area’s spring traditions this weekend.
On Sunday morning, 50 “boats” hit the local waterways for the ‘10 Wayne County Canoe Classic.
Men & women, boys & girls of all ages and abilities paddled down the Dyberry in the quest for gold medals.
This 20th annual event was hosted once again by the Honesdale Area Jaycees. It began at the Fairgrounds and concluded in White Mills at Firemen’s Field.
“We were very close to postponing,” Carl Klinger, event co-chairman, told TWI Sports. “But, we decided to try and get it in... and, I’m glad we did.”
Carl went on to say that this year’s Wayne County Canoe Classic attracted 49 entries from all over the northeastern USA.
“This has always been a recreational race,” Carl said. “It’s all about having fun and promoting the area. We have people here from as far away as Maryland and Massachusetts who come back every year.”
The Rapids
The 20th Annual Wayne County Canoe classic officially began at 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Competitors who were primed for a good time began arriving at the Fair-grounds two hours earlier.
Despite less-than-ideal conditions, nearly 100 participants put 50 kayaks and canoes in the water.
The starting line sits at the northern end of the Fairgrounds, smack in the middle of Dyberry Creek.
The course runs parallel to Rte. 191 toward the Maple City, then empties into the Lackawaxen River. It follows the railroad and canal basin all the way to Firemen’s Field in White Mills, a total of about nine miles.
The Winners
Daniel Harmon was the first to complete the race this year. Harmon covered the course in an official time of one hour, 10 minutes and 38 seconds.
Daniel held off a spirited charge from the duo of Bruce Coddington & Rich Hall, who stopped the clock at 1:10:52.
Both boats were entered in the Open Division.
Ron Bomberger of Manheim (PA) was next home with a time of 1:12:28. The tandem of Charles Bruno & Linda Myers (1: 15:19) and John Dunkleberger (1:15:59) rounded out the Front Five.
Complete results by division are as follows...
•Open: Daniel Harmon (1:10:38), Bruce Coddington & Rich Hall (1:10:52), Ron Bomberger (1:12:28), John Dunkleberger (1:15: 59), Robert Dunkleberger (1:19:06), and John Dixon (1:26:21).
•Women’s Short: Kay & Raynell Bates (1:23:48), Kate Haggerty & Katie Hessling Hicks (1:36:01), Courtney Krajkovich & Lauren Cook (1:40:43), Christy Grandjean & Erin Quane (1:42:57).
