The ‘Round the Mountain Canoe & Kayak is set to return to Saranac Lake on Saturday, May 8.
This year, the popular paddling event will be run by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail following its acquisition of the Adirondack Watershed Alliance’s events, which also include the Celebrate Paddling Invitational, the Long Lake Long Boat Regatta and the Adirondack Canoe Classic — the 90-Miler. AWA founders Brian and Grace McDonnell will continue to work with the NFCT in 2021 as the transition continues.
The 2020 installment of the ‘Round the Mountain was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know from our interactions with the paddling community in the Adirondacks that folks are super excited to get back out and race,” said Karrie Thomas, NFCT’s executive director. “Even with COVID conditions improving, we’re taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of participants and spectators, and to be absolutely certain that we’re following all state and local protocols.”
2021 guidelines including the following:
- Masks and social distancing will be required at the start and finish lines
- Registration will be exclusively online.
- Participants will need to submit a health check survey certifying that they are in compliance with New York State COVID guidance along with contact tracing information prior to participation.
- Participants will need to pick up their registration packets at the Saranac Lake Civic Center at 213, Ampersand Ave, Saranac Lake, NY.
- The first heat will start at 11 a.m. at the Ampersand Bay Resort, located at the foot of Ampersand Ave on Lower Saranac Lake. Parking will be limited.
- Participants are encouraged to do a pre-race car shuttle to the finish line at the Riverfont Park on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake. Race organizers will not provide transportation.
The race course begins at Ampersand Bay. Paddlers head west on Lower Saranac Lake to the mouth of the Saranac River across from Bluff Island. The course continues down river, with a short carry around the lower locks, then to Oseetah Lake and ending at Lake Flower. Race distance is approximately 10.5 miles.
Entry fee is $30 per person; NFCT members receive a 15% discount.
To register and for more information, visit bit.ly/roundthemountain2021.
