Pathway Steering Committee
CEDAR RIVER DAY CELEBRATION
CANOE & KAYAK TIME TRIALS RACE
September 7, 2025
The Canoe/Kayak Time Trials Race needs enthusiastic competitors!
We will run time trials of our marked loop course between 10:30am and 2pm. Compete in either the solo kayak division or the “mixed aged” in two-person canoe division.
Complete the waiver attached/below; bring to the event on Race Day or fill out on Race day.
Check in with River Day registration on the day of and report to the boat launch to get in line for an official start & time. Top finishers in each division will get a River Day t-shirt and a top finisher certificate.
Race course and logistics
The course map is given below. Parking (P) is near the McCormick Park Launch ramp (R) on N. Cedar Street in Williamston, Michigan. Racers can launch and warm up east of the ramp.
The courses starting line is formed by two buoys (S). At the Starter’s signal, racers will head west (downstream) and stay to the right of buoy B, then continue west to the two buoys (T) just before the Putnam Street Bridge, where the paddler(s) will turn and head back east to the starting line, staying right of buoy B. Finishing time will be marked as paddlers cross the south finishing buoy. The winners of each division will be based on completion time.
The course loop is 600 meters and will take roughly 5-8 minutes to paddle.
Rules:
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Be safe and have fun.
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These are recreational races and good sportsmanship is required. Racers are not allowed to deliberately interfere with other racers. If any serious safety issues arise, paddlers in the area are expected to give assistance if they can. The Race Committee chair will make any final decisions concerning violations of the rules or protests from competitors.
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Flotation devices: All persons entering any race must be equipped with a USCG-approved personal flotation device as required by law. Belts are unacceptable.
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Canoe and kayak equipment requirements:
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Kayaks should be recreational boats made of plastic, wood, or aluminum, no longer than 15 feet, at least 28 inches wide and paddled by a double-bladed paddle.
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Canoes should be made of similar materials, no longer than 18 feet, at least 34 inches wide and paddled by single-bladed paddles with a maximum width of 8 inches.
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Canoe and kayak delivery: Canoes and kayaks shall be delivered to the starting line at the Cedar Street landing and vehicles removed as soon as possible to facilitate traffic control.
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Events will be coordinated using cell phones for communication and record-keeping. The Starter is responsible to bring each race class to the starting line and communicate with the racers to get a fair start. The Timer will record the start and finish places of each race class.
Safety
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Two capable safety boats will be on the race course during racing.
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At the time of launching, boats to be raced will be inspected for soundness, and the paddlers for wearing proper life jackets.
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The Race Chair will be in contact with the Red Cedar River Day Celebration Steering Committee concerning any other concerns such as hazardous weather, e.g., lightning or strong wind.