See the roster here

Two Paddles Canoe and Kayak Races is proud to present the Mississippi River 48 Canoe and Kayak Race and Tour (aka the “MR 48”). The MR 48 is a 43-mile endurance paddling race from Clearwater to Champlin in the state of Minnesota. Beginning at 8am on Sunday, June 9, 2024, participants (paddling solo, tandem, or as part of a team) have until 5pm to make it to Mississippi Point Park in Champlin. The MR48 is not easy especially if water levels are low like in 2023 when over 1/4 of the participants did not finish by 5pm. In 2024 we will be enforcing a new cut-off time; racers must get to the Mississippi West ramp by 3:30pm (five miles from the finish). Participants can use canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or any kind of self-powered boat. A relay option allows a team of people to take turns paddling four sections—see paddler’s guide for details. To rent a canoe or kayak, contact our friends at Clearwaters Outfitting. They’ll even pick it up at the finish line! A recreational tour division is an option for those who favor being more relaxed, with a focus on the goal of finishing in the allowed time versus competing against other paddlers. From the Clearwater boat ramp on the east side of the river, participants will paddle past dozens of islands, the towns of Becker and Monticello, and undeveloped, forested steep banks and small cliffs. The course continues past distinctive downtown Elk River and Dayton, through a series of suburbs with mostly scenic undeveloped banks. These cities include Otsego, and Champlin.

The entire race route is part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “Mississippi Water Trail.”

The DNR has excellent river maps made for paddlers that show all ramps, campsites, bridges and other waypoints. The race route can be found on Mississippi River maps 8 and 9 at: DNR maps. The final 8 miles are within the 72 mile Mississippi National River and Recreation area administered by the national park service.

A custom Google map provides a way to quickly see the entire route and important landmarks and is available at: MR 48 map

All participants are recommended to use the Webscorer tracking system, which is an app on your smartphone. There will be a link where friends, family and support crew will be able to follow the progress of those who are tracking.

Participants will pass two main tributaries during the events, both of which are state-designated Water Trails: the North Fork of the Crow River enters 34 miles into the race and the Rum River joins across from the finish line.

Join us at the Mississippi River Community Festival from 12:00pm to 5:30pm on Sunday, June 9th at Mississippi Crossings in Champlin, with a closing ceremony at 5:30pm. All participants, family members, friends, and support crew are warmly encouraged to attend. There will be live music and food, carnival games as part of Champlin’s Father Hennepin Festival, and you can watch other boats paddle past the amphitheater to the finish line! All paddlers will be entered into a drawing for prizes (must be present to win; drawing happens at the Closing Ceremony).

Food and live music will be available. All paddlers will be entered into a drawing for prizes (must be present to win).

All participants will receive an event T-shirt. All finishers will receive a finisher medal. Overall and divisional winners will receive a trophy.

Event fees are used for insurance, to support dozens of volunteer staff, provide aid stations, overall and split timing, safety boat(s), park and pavilion rental fees, Post Paddle Party and more.

All participants must check in with their boat and required safety gear some time between 4:00am and 6:45am. If you are taking the shuttle you must check-in between 4am and 4:30am so you can leave at 4:30am to drive to Mississippi Crossings in Champlin to catch the shuttle. All participants must attend the entire pre-event meeting at 7:15am, on June 9th, 2024 at Clearwater Public Landing on the east side of the river in Clearwater, MN.

When you register for the event you can also sign up for a shuttle service that will bring paddlers from Mississippi Crossings in Champlin to the event start (for more details see the Paddler’s Guide). All participants are required to read the Event Rules and the Paddler’s Guide.

Experience a grand adventure on America’s most famous river! Join us for the Mississippi River 48 Canoe and Kayak Race & Tour. Please like and follow our latest updates on our Facebook page.

Divisions include: solo (men/women), tandem (men/women/mixed), SUP and Team (for more details on divisions see the Event Rules page)

Paddlers need not stop anywhere else along the route but there are numerous places to stop if desired. Participants are allowed to have a support crew meet them along the route if they choose.

2024 MR 48 PER PERSON FEES:

$80 if you register by April 15th at 11:59pm.

$95 if you register after April 15th and before May 21st at 11:59pm (your event T-shirt and finisher medal may need to be mailed to you after the event)

$125 if you register after May 21st and before June 2nd at 11:59pm (your event T-shirt and finisher medal will need to be mailed to you after the event)

Refund Policy: Full refunds available for cancellations up until April 15th at 11:59pm. No refunds after April 15th for any reason.

Register HERE.

Watch a recorded Zoom virtual info session about the MR 48 and the other events here.