The 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race will be its largest, says race chairperson Charlie Trost
The 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race, where boats sail from Lake Huron off Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia to the finish line at Mackinac Island, will be its largest, says race chairperson Charlie Trost.
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The race organized by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club has run every year since it began, including through the Second World War and the COVID pandemic.
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Trost said. “It is the longest running consecutive freshwater race in the world.”
This year’s race is July 20 when entries are scheduled to leave in the morning from Port Huron and travel up the St. Clair River, and under the Bluewater Bridge where spectators traditionally line the shore, to reach the starting line in Lake Huron.
This year will be the 43rd Rotary Club of Sarnia’s fundraising pancake and sausage breakfast in Point Edward’s Waterfront Park next to the bridge, 7 am to 11 am
Volunteers from the service club and community serve about 2,000 sausage and pancake breakfasts each year on race day and raise $10,000 to $15,000.
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“It’s not just about the fundraising,” organizer Carolyn Leaver-Luciani said in a news release. “It’s about getting out with friends and family, enjoying our amazing waterfront, and having fun.”
Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children and advance tickets are available online at www.rotarysarnia.com.
In an effort to be environmentally friendly, breakfast encourages those attending to bring their own plates and cutlery, as well as bottled water or cups for water that will be available. Breakfast includes coffee, tea or juice.
This year, the service club is also selling Mackinac Race T-shirts for $25.
And following breakfast, the club will hold a Mackinac Extravaganza south of the bridge from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm in support of affordable housing with family-friendly activities, a vendor fair and a Re/Max balloon. The cost is $5 per person or $20 per family.
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Trost said he was anticipating about 335 entries in the race this year, which would be a record.
The previous record was set in 1985 when 316 boats entered.
“I think a lot of people want to be part of the 100th,” Trost said. As well, as the number of entries climbed this year, that generated more interest and even more entries.
For this year, the race will return to its original 204 nautical mile course to reach the island located near where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.
“It’s just a one-time deal,” Trost said. “It will add a new interesting flavour to the race.”
The winner of the first race crossed the finish line after 48 hours and 49 minutes of sailing. The current shore course record is just over 17 hours, according to the race’s website.
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“You have professionals out there who are on the water 250 days a year competing and trying to win the race,” Trost said. “And then there are other people who are looking at it as a challenge.”
Sport provides a platform for both, he said.
“Even if you lose the race, you still feel a great deal of accomplishment from getting to the island.”
This year will be Trost’s 22nd race. He began competing at age 14 and has been in every race since.
“To me it’s a big family thing,” Trost said. “I’ve been going to the island ever since I was born. My grandmother was on the race committee.”
Sarnia entries are typically among a “handful of Canadian boats” in the race.
He said sailors appreciated seeing spectators along the shore as they traveled on the river to the starting line in the lake.
Also, Port Huron’s Blue Water Festival runs July 17 to 20 with concerts, a street fair and parade.
“We do this racing all over the world and you don’t find a gathering and a send-off quite like you do at Port Huron or Sarnia,” Trost said. “I think it’s one thing that makes our race very unique.”
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