Tag Archives: 90 miler

Norman Goldstein: Memorial tribute to a 90-Miler veteran

Norm at the finish of his 90-mile canoe race, September 2014

Norm at the finish of his 90-mile canoe race, September 2014

Norman Harold Goldstein—veterinarian, outdoorsman, father, grandfather, brother, husband and optimist—passed away at the home he shared with his wife, Georgia Stormes, overlooking Otisco Lake on June 13, 2015. He was 77 years old.

Born and raised in Syracuse, Norm quickly showed his passion for the wilderness and animals. He climbed Mount Marcy as a boy, beginning a long relationship with the Adirondack waters and woods.  Continue reading

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MAC’s Safe Ride Breakfast…

IMG_6628*****Cary Howard grabs breakfast from Sue Lavigne, left, Nanci Russell, Leslie Beauchamp, Gisele Kress, Eileen McCann and Kelly Noonan at the MAC’s Safe Ride benefit breakfast on Friday, September 5th at the Old Forge Fire Department prior to The Adirondack Canoe Classic – The 90-Miler. Photo by Gina Greco

 
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New course record set at 2013 Adirondack Canoe Classic

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It was another successful year for the Adirondack Canoe Classic with a new course record set by the four-person team of Andy Trebold, Steve Lajoie, Nick Walton and Matt Rimer who finished the 90 mile course in 11 hours, 6 minutes and 29 seconds.

The previous record was 11 hours, 24 minutes.

The race began from the Old Forge Pond on Friday, September 6 with 275 registered racers and ended Sunday, September 8 in Saranac Lake with 260 crossing the finish line.

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90-Miler racers finish in record time despite Day 2 difficulties

Laverne Phillips, Sherri Grimm, Linda Frank, Barbara Getty, and Patty Foley

As the sun broke through the early morning fog on Friday, September 7, 275 canoes and kayaks launched from the Old Forge lakefront for the three-day 90-Miler Canoe Classic.

Participants in the iconic race, now in its 30th year, experienced stellar paddling conditions on Days 1 and 3.

However, wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour and rain on Day 2 added more challenge to the already challenging race, causing a reported 25 vessels to capsize on Long Lake.

Among those effected were local entrants Barbara Getty, Sherri Grimm, Patty Foley, and Linda Frank, who were manning a four-person canoe.

Brian Morgan

“The wind was pretty bad. For the most part it was behind us and it was actually pushing us, but all of a sudden a big gust came up and turned us sideways, and once you go sideways, you’re done. It picked up our 22 foot canoe and rolled us over,” Getty said.

Race Director Brian McDonnell said the entire race course is closely monitored by safety boats and radio communication, and safety boaters were quick to respond to those experiencing trouble on Long Lake, corraling them to the right side of the lake.

“We started 269 boats on Saturday at Long Lake. About three miles in, eight boats came out when the boaters knew their boats would not handle the wind gusts,” McDonnell said. Continue reading

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Jodi Tanner and her father, Ray Morris, a 30-year Canoe Classic veteran. Photos by Marianne Christy

Adirondack Canoe Classic: Ray Morris to tackle his 30th 90-Miler

Jodi Tanner and her father, Ray Morris, a 30-year Canoe Classic veteran. Photos by Marianne Christy

Among the 275 vessels launching from the Old Forge Lakefront on Friday, September 7 for the 90-Miler Adirondack Canoe Classic will be a two-person canoe, manned by Ray Morris and his daughter, Jodi Tanner of South Glens Falls.

Morris’s boat will have the honor of sporting the #30, in commemoration of the 30 years of the iconic race of which he is the sole event-long participant.

Back in the summer of 1982, as a postal worker with the South Glens Falls Post Office, Morris was thumbing through a copy of the Albany Times-Unionnewspaper when he came across a story about the inaugural Canoe Classic.

Mike and Sue Lyford of Inlet, and Ray and Helen Morris. Mike and Ray are lifelong friends who grew up together in South Glens Falls.

Intrigued with the idea of the challenge, Morris, a self-confessed non-paddler, suggested to a reluctant co-worker that they take a stab at the race.

After a few beers at a local tavern, Morris convinced his friend to participate.

A month later, in a 16-foot rental canoe from the Blue Mountain Boat Livery, the duo shoved off for the first race.

“We achieved our goal by finishing,” Morris said with a laugh.

It was to be the first—and last—canoe adventure for his friend, but Morris kept at it.

The second year of the race, he paddled with his son, Ray Jr. and came in second place—the closest he’s come to placing big in his class. Continue reading

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