Starting with the Classic, Sprint paddlers will complete the first 58km of the MRX, ending in Bracebridge. For those wanting an MRX-Lite experience the Sprint a great way to start your career in expedition racing.
The world’s longest single day expedition paddling race is a 133km journey that covers two rivers systems, four lakes and includes 20 portages in less than 24 hours. Starting pre-dawn on shore of Peninsula Lake paddlers travel south on the North Muskoka River through the towns of Huntsville and Port Sydney before arriving in Bracebridge. Turning north, the long upstream journey under the setting sun follows the South Muskoka River to Baysville. During their final section, paddlers must find their way home under the cover of darkness, navigating mighty Lake of Bays to the finish line on Peninsula Lake. No outside assistance. No support teams. No re-supplies. No electronic navigation. Considered by some to be the toughest single day canoe race in the world, your X-PEDITION is waiting.
The Coureur des Bois is back! The River X Crew first hosted this expansion course to the Muskoka River X Classic in 2015 and 2016. After a 2-year absence and at the request of our Alumni we will again host this epic race. Building on the heritage of the canal expeditions of the 1800’s, the Coureur des Bois will challenge even the most experienced expedition and marathon paddlers. Teams travel along the heritage routes of the Algonquin Peoples and early explorers as they traverse Algonquin Park east to west from Whitney to Oxtongue Lake. Using only the supplies that were carried teams will overnight in a wilderness camping setting at Oxtongue before merging with the Muskoka River X Classic B-Side for a second full day of paddle racing. 223km. 39 portages. 48 hours or less. No resupplies. No support. Navigation with only map and compass. Flat-water. Up-river. Down-river. Marshlands and swamp. A true Canadian back-country expedition race. Are you tough enough to be called a Coureur des Bois? Here’s your chance to find out….
Stage 1: 28.5 km
Huntsville to Port Sydney
Stage 1 is a mix of flat-water lake and river paddling. Teams will depart Hidden Valley Resort on Peninsula Lake before the sunrise at 6am/6:15am, retracing the steam ship routes of the late 1800s that connected communities on Muskoka’s northern lakes. After leaving Pen Lake teams will make their way into Huntsville then south to the historic Brunel Locks and down-river along the North Muskoka River. Hoping for calm waters and paddling the north-south journey on Mary Lake teams will portage the Port Sydney Dam. Consistent with seasonal weather, you may experience early morning mist or fog making navigation challenging while Mary Lake is known for strong winds and waves.
Stage 2: 29.8 km
Port Sydney to Bracebridge
Stage 2 is entirely a down-river paddle. As the morning progresses teams will leave Port Sydney and make their way south along the North Muskoka River towards Bracebridge. With a mixture of deep, slower moving water and faster swifts with shallow water, teams will navigate the rocky portages of Balsam and Duck Chutes and around the spectacular High Falls and its 65-foot drop. Continuing through Bracebridge teams will experience contrasting environments with the rugged Wilson Falls portage and urban-feel of Bracebridge Falls, portage staircases through the center of town. For MRX Sprint teams, the journey will finish here. For MRX Classic teams, their expedition will continue. (Bracebridge Cut Off: 4pm)
Stage 1: 28.5 km
Huntsville to Port Sydney
Stage 1 is a mix of flat-water lake and river paddling. Teams will depart Hidden Valley Resort on Peninsula Lake before the sunrise at 6am/6:15am, retracing the steam ship routes of the late 1800s that connected communities on Muskoka’s northern lakes. After leaving Pen Lake teams will make their way into Huntsville then south to the historic Brunel Locks and down-river along the North Muskoka River. Hoping for calm waters and paddling the north-south journey on Mary Lake teams will portage the Port Sydney Dam. Consistent with seasonal weather, you may experience early morning mist or fog making navigation challenging while Mary Lake is known for strong winds and waves.
Stage 2: 29.8 km
Port Sydney to Bracebridge
Stage 2 is entirely a down-river paddle. As the morning progresses teams will leave Port Sydney and make their way south along the North Muskoka River towards Bracebridge. With a mixture of deep, slower moving water and faster swifts with shallow water, teams will navigate the rocky portages of Balsam and Duck Chutes and around the spectacular High Falls and its 65-foot drop. Continuing through Bracebridge teams will experience contrasting environments with the rugged Wilson Falls portage and urban-feel of Bracebridge Falls, portage staircases through the center of town. For MRX Sprint teams, the journey will finish here. For MRX Classic teams, their expedition will continue. (Bracebridge Cut Off: 4pm)
Stage 3: 45.7 km
Bracebridge to Baysville
Stage 3 follows the same route that the Bigwin Family paddled in the late 1800s every spring as they made their way to summer settlements on Lake of Bays. Classic teams leave Bracebridge and paddle east then north along the South Muskoka River, arriving at the historic town of Baysville. Not only is Stage 3 the longest section of the race, it is also the most physically demanding with 11 portages ranging from a few meters to 1283 meters. The first section of the river is wide, deep and slow moving. The last 10km has strong current, swifts and shallow sections. Stage 3 is entirely upriver, against current. For most, Stage 3 will be completed under the setting sun, encroaching darkness or dead of night. (Purbrook Road Cut Off: 9pm / Baysville Cut Off: 1am)
Stage 4: 28.8 km
Baysville to Huntsville
Stage 4 is primarily lake paddling and for most will be under the cover of darkness. If the sky is clear and water calm, Lake of Bays will be brilliant. On the other hand, westerly winds are common and with darkness and dropping temperatures the chances of fog increases. Navigation is always a challenge. After completing the historic 1700m portage from Lake of Bays to Peninsula Lake team will enjoy the last few kilometers and arrive at the FINISH LINE before 6:15am Cut-Off.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same Recreation class (length < 17 feet) watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft in the C2 marathon class.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same Recreation class (length < 17 feet) watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same solo competitor completes the entire race on his or her own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
The same pair of competitors complete the entire race on their own, without any outside assistance, using the same watercraft.
Open to Canoes, Kayaks and Standup Paddle Boards provided they meet the required specifications.
Please refer to the Watercraft Specifications document.
Are you strong enough to be a Voyageur? According to Wikipedia, Voyageurs were the canoe transportation workers in organized, licensed long-distance transportation of furs and trade goods in the interior of the continent. The strength and endurance of the voyageurs was legendary. It was expected that each voyageur work at least 14 hours a day, paddle 55 strokes per minute and be able to carry two bundles across each portage between the lakes and rivers of the north woods. A bundle generally consisted of beaver pelts or other furs weighing about 90 lbs. on the way to Montreal, or 90 lbs. of trade goods coming from Montreal. A routine portage meant carrying 180 pounds across rugged terrain full of rocks, mud, mosquitoes and black flies. [reference]
River X Racing gives tribute to these legends of the fur trade with the Voyageur Class. By entering the Voyageur Class you opt to choose one of a dozen hand made wooden crates filled with locally crafted goods and to transport that crate from the Huntsville Town Dock, along the 133km Muskoka River X Classic route (Huntsville ~ Port Sydney ~ Bracebridge ~ Baysville ~ Huntsville), to its destination at the Hidden Valley Resort on Peninsula Lake. Your reward for accomplishing this arduous task? Bragging rights of course, and you get to keep the crate and all the goods that it contains.
The crate is a locally handcrafted wooden box of two sizes. For tandem canoes it’s approximately 2 feet long, by 1 foot wide and 1 foot high (2’x1’x1′). For solo boats, it’s approximately 1 foot square (1’x1’x1′). Crates will have handles and a tumpline head strap to assist in transport over portages. It would be familiar for those that know what a wanagan is. Crates are sealed shut prior to being picked up and must not be opened by voyageurs until they have arrived at their ultimate destination – the Hidden Valley Resort on Peninsula Lake. The exact dimensions, weight, and contents may vary from crate to crate. Voyageurs may select the specific crate they wish to transport during in-person registration/gear check on a first come first served basis. More details, photos, weights will be posted in the future.
The payload in each crate comprises a selection of locally produced goods possibly including, but not limited to: maple syrup, beer (for 19+ voyageurs only), dried meat, oats, honey, soap, and chocolate. Each box could also contain a door prize provided by one of Muskoka River X sponsors. The voyageur(s) will not know the contents of the crates until they arrive successfully at the destination. At the destination, the crates will be opened to reveal their treasure.
Your mission as voyageur: Paddle from the Hidden Valley Resort (the MRX start location) to the Huntsville Town Dock (River Mill Park). Load the previously chosen crate into/onto your watercraft. Continue along the entire MRX Classic course, paddling and portaging as required to transport the crate from pickup location to the ultimate destination at the Hidden Valley Resort in 24 hours or less.
Imagine you are a capable voyageur under the employ of the Hudson’s Bay Company, tasked with transporting goods from Huntsville to Bracebridge and then to the Hidden Valley Resort. Your compensation for this challenge, is that you are given all of the contents of the crate and the handcrafted crate itself….but not until you have successfully completed your mission.
Registration fees for the Voyageur Class are added to the MRX Classic fees.
Thanks to Andy Hansen of Pure Muskoka, who produced, directed and edited this professional mini-documentary of the 2014 Muskoka River X. MRX alumnus, Chris Near of Huntsville, helped Andy get to all the spectacular locations along the course. Armed with a drone, multiple GoPro cameras and a DSLR, Andy has captured and created a captivating testament to the challenge of the Muskoka River X and those that are driven to accomplish this epic expedition paddling race.
Andy Hansen