Mynar won with a time of 41:37.01 for the 6-mile race held on the Thunder Bay River, finishing at the Duck Park. Dennis Paull placed second in the sport division, with a time of 41:38.31, followed by Greg Hintz in third with a time of 45:32.73. Nine people competed in the sport division.

In the recreational division, Max Paull topped the competition with a time of 55:12.42. David Hintz placed second with a time of 57:18.27, and Jonathan George placed third with a time of 1:00:35.16. The recreational division had 22 competitors.

Matt Duthler is on the planning committee for the Northland Challenge. He said the event is gaining momentum each year, and it was great to partner with Bay Athletic Club for the first time.

“A big thank you to Bay Athletic Club,” Duthler said. “They did a lot of work. They did some workouts with their members, and we did a kayak giveaway with their members, as well. They even had some racers in the rec division. They definitely helped out.”

Courtesy Photo Dennis Paull, left, receives a $750 check from Northland Area Federal Credit Union President and CEO Pete Dzuris, for placing second in the sport division of the Northland Challenge kayak race on Saturday in Alpena.

He added that Trina Gray and Bay Athletic Club also helped promote the event.

Duthler said the organizers like to get feedback from racers about how they think the event went, and whether adjustments or improvements can be made for the next year’s event.

“We’re learning from the racers,” he said, adding that the first weekend in August seems to be a good time for the event. “The new thing this year was the two divisions, and that was a big plus because it gives everyday people a chance to win for the rec division, and it also allows some of the professionals to come in, and gives them an opportunity as well.”

He said they are looking to expand next year and may offer a men’s and women’s division, and possibly a youth division in the future.

“We’re developing it at a pace we think we can maintain, and we will see what next year may bring,” Duthler said. “It seems to be growing more and more. From what the professional racers are telling us, this could be the event to come to, because it’s a really attractive purse and it’s a unique straight paddling race.”

Courtesy Photo Greg Hintz, left, receives a $500 check from Northland Area Federal Credit Union President and CEO Pete Dzuris, for placing third in the sport division of the Northland Challenge kayak race on Saturday in Alpena.

He added that Northland Area Federal Credit Union puts up the prize money, but that proceeds from the race go toward the Thunder Bay River Center.

“We’re trying to establish a clean water initiative,” Duthler said. “From the first year, we’ve started partnering with the Thunder Bay River Center.”

The first place winner of the sport division won $1,000, with second winning $750, and third winning $500. In the recreational division, first place won $500, second won $250, and third won $100.

In addition to the kayak race, the event featured activities at the Duck Park, including a doggy derby, bounce house, vendors, a craft show, and more.

COMPLETE RESULTS

Courtesy Photo Max Paull, left, receives a $500 check from Northland Area Federal Credit Union President and CEO Pete Dzuris, for winning the recreational division of the Northland Challenge kayak race on Saturday in Alpena.

Sport Division

1. Kyle Mynar — 41:37.01

2. Dennis Paull — 41:38.31

3. Greg Hintz — 45:32.73

4. Carlos Linares — 47:92.84

Courtesy Photo David Hintz, left, receives a $250 check from Northland Area Federal Credit Union President and CEO Pete Dzuris, for placing second in the recreational division of the Northland Challenge kayak race on Saturday in Alpena.

5. Johnathan Morgan — 48:02.08

6. Kaitlin Jiral — 50:33.54

7. Randy Rusceak — 53:74.64

8. Joey Kimsel — 55:13.01

9. Karen Karbowski — 1:14:40.30

Courtesy Photo Jonathan George, left, receives a $100 check from Northland Area Federal Credit Union President and CEO Pete Dzuris, for placing third in the recreational division of the Northland Challenge kayak race on Saturday in Alpena.

Recreational Division

1. Max Paull — 55:12.42

2. David Hintz — 57:18.27

3. Jonathan George — 1:00:35.16

4. Ron Anderson — 1:02:05.66

5. Tom Nelson — 1:03:36.16

6. Paul Tenniswood — 1:03:83.46

7. Rhianna Richardson — 1:06:39.11

8. Alexander Arch — 1:06:42.17

9. Erin Andrews — 1:19:30.26

10. Stephanie Sparkowski — 1:19:38.97

11. Gretchen Laseck — 1:19:75.41

12. Katie Miller — 1:19:84.61

13. Joe Bastow — 1:23:43.70

14. Chris Morrison — 1:24:94.46

15. Jeff Taphouse — 1:25:12.36

16. Tiffany Miller — 1:25:34.42

17. Tisha Erkintalo — 1:28:40.61

18. Todd Wozniak — 1:31:16.26

19. Donald Dietz — 1:36:29.54

20. Marie Dietz — 1:36:40.11

21. Gabriella Kamyszek — 1:38:75.70

22. Kimberly Gildner — 1:48:36.19

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No