SOUTH GLENGARRY – Organizers of this weekend’s 49th running of the Raisin River Canoe Race are expecting a post-pandemic resurgence.
Vincent Pilon, public information officer for the Raisin Region Conservation Authority, said Friday there were 166 boats and 281 people registered in advance of Sunday’s race.
“Most are two-person canoes, though there are many single-person kayaks registered at well. We would not be surprised if an additional 100 registrations took place the day of,” Pilon told Cornwall Newswatch.
On-site registration starts at 9 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic School in St. Andrews West.
The 30 kilometer race along the Raisin River from St. Andrews West to Williamstown has been on pandemic hold the last two years with a virtual event held in its place last year.
During the 47th edition in 2019, there were 207 canoes and kayaks and 350 paddlers. The event was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and a virtual event was held on 2021 for the 48th annual race.
The forecast is calling for cloudy with a chance of rain showers or wet flurries and the temperature steady around +4 Celsius.
South Glengarry council approved a $2,448 spend from its grants and donations fund last month to pay for South Glengarry Fire Services shore-based water rescue and rental of Tartan Hall at the Char-Lan Recreation Center to host the awards ceremony following the race.