2015 was a great year!
We would like to THANK everyone who supported our events. We host the events because we love paddling, we love Muskoka and Algonquin and we love adventure racing. Bringing the three together and sharing them with like-minded people is special for us.
2015 saw quite a number of people participate in the MRX with very little race experience. A HUGE shout out to those people who seized the moment and fearlessly jumped into marathon paddling headfirst. Amazing. We love that kind of spirit and hope to see more of it in 2016!
Also new for 2015 was 220km of pure expedition paddle race excitement: The Coureur des Bois had teams traverse Algonquin Park in one day, camp out overnight with only the gear they carried with them and then take on the MRX Classic on day two: A great success that will see more excitement into 2016.
The Ontario Ultra Paddling Point Series was launched this year with over 300 paddlers participating! What a great showing for ultra-distance paddlers in Ontario and beyond. Dean Brown was crowned the 2015 Champion. Check out the link for the entire 2015 points standings. 2016 will see the addition of the Kingston-2-Ottawa ultra distance race in August. The K2O brings OUPPS up to 4 events, each building in distance and culminating with the Muskoka River X in September. Ontario is quickly becoming the ultra-distance paddle racer’s destination for SUP, Kayak, and Canoeist. Support OMCKRA and paddle where you live.
Check out all the 2015 results and photos:
Algonquin Outfitters MRX Results
Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X Results
Photos from the 2015 Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X
What’s New for 2016?
Based on your feedback we have made some notable improvements:
- The Big East River X has an expanded kayak category to better reflect boat classes
- The Muskoka River X now has a “short course”. The MRX SPRINT will have teams finish in Bracebridge covering 80km
- Team can now paddle C2 Rec canoes in the MRX SPRINT. These are very common sub-17 foot canoes that don’t meet C2 Stock specifications for the MRX Classic.
- We will be moving to a more reliable GPS tracking system.
- We are back again for a second year at Hidden Valley Resort for registration and the awards.
Algonquin Outfitters is back for it’s fourth year as Title Sponsor. Honestly, if you need something, just talk to them. They have everything you need. And Huntsville Store Manager Nate is a two-time MRX Alumni, so you can be confident you’re getting the right advice.
Need to Rent a Canoe? Contact Gord at Algonquin Outfitters. AO has everything you need to train and race in the River X. Visit our Documents section for AO’s boat rental program.
HandCrafted Canoes is back for their 3rd year as Boat Sponsor. New for this year HCC is building full carbon Grand Huron 18” race boats. Designed crazy light and super fast, the Grand Huron will go head to head with other competitors such as Clipper’s WW2, Savage River, and Jenson designed hulls. The Grand Huron is made in Kitchener, Ontario. Take a trip and talk to James. He will build you a custom C2 Stock expedition race canoe that meets specifications for the 2016 Algonquin Outfitters MRX and Big East River X. HCC is also offering a huge discount to teams that register for the MRX and purchase a Grand Huron before February 29, 2016. Talk to James for all the details.
The full-carbon Grand Huron is our Prize Boat for 2016!
Your 2016 expedition starts here!
JUNE 18, 2016
Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X 40km marathon race
OR
Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X 9km Family-Recreational race
SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2016
Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Coureur des Bois 220km 2-day expedition race
OR
Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Classic 130km 1-day expedition race
OR
Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Sprint 80km 1-day expedition race
Register early and win!
Race both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!
HandCrafted Canoes 18’ full carbon Grand Huron C2 Stock expedition race canoe.
Register for both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!
Accommodation for up to 4 people x 2 nights at the King William Inn.
Register for both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!
A full MRX Swag Package including North Face Bionic Soft Shell, StormTech fleece toque and StormTech tech hat, all with custom MRX embroidery.
What’s included in the MRX fees?
- You get bragging rights for finishing one of the toughest expedition paddling races in the world!
- Medals, prizing, and certificates for winners
- Door prizes open to all participants
- MRX branded race jersey
- MRX embroidered StormTech FINISHER tech hat
- Ranking in the Ontario Ultra Paddling Point Series
- Post Race Awards Party (voted best post race awards by Get Out There Magazine’s Readers Choice): Live music and our legendary MRX post-race feast in the relaxed atmosphere of Hidden Valley Resort, overlooking beautiful Peninsula Lake;
- Smokey Bandit BBQ Ribs
- Chimichurri Marinated Grilled Chicken
- Baja Spiced Grilled Mahi Mahi
- Corn on the Cob
- Salads: House-made Potato / Mediterranean Pasta / Mixed Bean / Garden
- Dinner Rolls
- Vegetarian/Vegan Options by Request
- Pint of ale specially brewed by Lake of Bays Brewery, located just up the road from CP1
- Full set of Never Tear water & tear resistant full-color topographic course maps
- Full set of course details and navigation instructions
- Full-Color vinyl adhesive numbering plates
- Full-Team race kit with all the supplies you need to get started on your expedition, including a spectator kit with full driving instructions and maps
- Fully equipped and mobile (land/water-based) logistical event management team
- Four (4) fully equipped first aid teams (check points)
- Four (4) fully equipped land/water-based mobile SAR emergency medical teams
- Police traffic control at high exposure road crossings
- Mobile emergency shuttles from any extraction point on course to the finish line
- Hot Tents are each check point and finish line
- Iridium Satellite (GPS) trackers and emergency transponders: The best trackers in the world!
- GPS-enabled live tracking map allowing spectators to watch your progress on their computer or mobile device anywhere in the world: The ultimate spectator solution for adventure and expedition racing.
- Registration, gear check and captain’s meetings all take place inside, in the comfort of Hidden Valley Resort
- Fees associated with all the various permits, event rentals, logistics needs, and race insurance
Coureur des Bois teams have all of their transportation needs included!
- Shuttle from Hidden Valley Resort (Huntsville) to Start Line (Whitney)
- Shuttle from Oxtongue Lake to Dwight (Start of Day 2)
- Shuttle from Finish Line (River Mill Park, Huntsville) to Hidden Valley Resort (Huntsville)
Sprint teams have all of their transportation needs included!
- Shuttle from Finish Line (Bracebridge) to River Mill Park, Huntsville
Did we mention that participants are eligible for amazing prizes?
More than $15,500 in prizing and incentives has been won in our first three years!
MRX course statistics
Fastest Overall Hull Speeds, including portaging.
C2 (Tandem Canoe): 9.8 km/hr (2014 – Classic)
SUP (solo): 7.1 km/hr (2014 – Classic)
C1 (solo canoe): 7.4 km/hr (2015 – Coureur des Bois)
K1 (solo kayak): 8.1 km/hr (2015 – Coureur des Bois)
SPRINT
Start / Finish: River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario – Bracebridge, Ontario
Total Distance / Portages: 80 km x 13 portages (approx. 5000m / longest: 1700m)
Estimated Duration: 8 hours to 16 hours
CLASSIC
Start / Finish: River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario – River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario
Total Distance / Portages: 130 km x 20 portages (approx. 7000m / longest: 1700m)
Estimated Duration: 13.5 hours to 24 hours
COUREUR des BOIS
Start / Finish: Whitney, Ontario – River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario
Total Distance / Portages: 220km x 36 portages (approx. 11,800m / longest: 1700m)
Estimated Duration: 26 hours to 48 hours
Sunrise: 06:58hrs Sunset: 19:38hrs
Average Daily Temperatures
High: 18.8 degrees Celsius Low: 6.5 degrees Celsius Average: 12.7 degrees Celsius
Other Weather Statistics
Average Daily Wind speed: 12km/hr
Average Monthly Rain: 111mm
Average Days with Thunderstorms: 3
Average Days with Fog: 5
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