It’s just past 9 p.m., and the streets of Grayling are alive with energy. Thousands of spectators line the banks of the AuSable River, eagerly awaiting the start of one of North America’s most grueling endurance races—the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.
The 120-mile overnight paddle race, stretching from Grayling to Oscoda on the shores of Lake Huron, is a defining event for the area. Elite paddlers from across the country and beyond converge in northern Michigan for a chance to test their skills, stamina and strategy against the river’s currents, six dams and unpredictable conditions.
For paddlers like 75-year-old Peter Heed and 37-year-old Ryan Halstead, the marathon is more than just a race; it is a rite of passage and an ode to camaraderie.
Backbone of the Marathon
But behind every competitor are the feeders—the unsung heroes who ensure their paddlers have the fuel, hydration and supplies needed to endure the night-long battle.
The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is as much a race of preparation and teamwork as it is of endurance. Unlike other endurance competitions where aid stations are strategically placed, the marathon relies on a unique system of support: feeders. These individuals—often family members, friends or volunteers—station themselves along the riverbanks, waiting to hand off crucial supplies like water, food, medicine and sports drinks, among other items.
Michelle Millikin, part of the Canoe Marathon Committee and an experienced feeder for the last six years, knows firsthand the importance of this role.
“Feeders are the lifeline for our paddlers,” Millikin said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure our team gets from the start line to the finish line. It’s critical to have a feed team that is on top of things-one little mistake can cost the team several places at the end of the race.”
Feeding is a science in itself. With the race running through the night, paddlers rely on feeders not just for nutrition but also for supplies. If a team’s canoe breaks down, the feeder has the fix. The best feeders anticipate their paddlers’ needs before they even reach the next checkpoint, preparing bottles and food.
But as many feeders and paddlers will tell you, anything can happen regardless of how well-prepared a team is.
A good example of this is when feeder Josie Swander, another experienced feeder for the last 20 years who started feeding in the race when she was just 10, was taken under water during one of the races.
“It happened when I was grabbing my team's water bottles,” Swander said. “The current was really fast at that point and I slipped and fell. Once the current gets you under, it's hard because the suction holds you down. I went close to 300 yards down the river.”
Swander became a feeder through her family tree so to speak, her father, grandmother and uncle have all been paddlers in the Grayling marathon for years.
Feeding spots along the AuSable become hubs of activity during the race, where feeders battle fatigue just as much as their paddlers. Some spots require feeders to hike in the dark or scramble down steep banks to ensure they reach the water’s edge in time.
Millikin and Swander both agree the first pit of the race is the most grueling of the night.
“That first pit really sets the tone for the race,” Swander said. “The river isn’t the easiest place to catch up with your team, especially in the dark, so if you miss a feed, you may not be able to access your team for another couple of hours and then by that point they are dehydrated.”
Veteran Paddlers
Veteran paddler Peter Heed, who has competed in the AuSable Marathon for 19 years, describes it as a race unlike any other. With more than 20,000 spectators, he knows the endurance required to navigate a night on the river.
“The AuSable Marathon is one of the longest and toughest races out there,” Heed said. “Paddling through the night makes it truly unique. The race has such a positive atmosphere, and the fan support in Michigan is incredible–there’s nothing like it anywhere in the country. In Grayling, every shop and business supports the race, which makes it even more special.”
As the oldest paddler in last year’s marathon, Heed is an inspiration to aspiring paddlers, proving that the sport is open to everyone–regardless of age or strength.
“Paddling uses your core so there’s much fewer injuries with paddling compared to other sports, which means you can participate as you age,” Heed said. “In addition, paddling lets you see the world from the water. Whether you’re paddling in Grayling or ocean paddling in Tampa Bay, the views are spectacular.”
For 37-year-old Ryan Halstead, the AuSable race in 2016 was the culmination of years of hard work. Halstead and his teammate Chris entered the event as favorites—and they lived up to the expectation.
In 2023, Halstead and his team came in second place and led for the majority of the race in 2024 and lost by the last hour.
Halstead’s success is rooted in his training. In the months leading up to the race, he spends time refining their stroke technique and practicing their night paddling skills.
“Paddling isn't just about athleticism, it's a technique-driven sport,” Halstead said. “The biggest challenge for the AuSable Marathon isn’t just the distance, it’s staying mentally sharp when you’re exhausted, reading the water in the dark and keeping your stroke smooth even when everything in your body is screaming at you to stop.”
Halstead and Heed both agree that the camaraderie is one of the most rewarding parts of the marathon.
“It’s a great sport,” Halstead said. “You end up meeting a lot of individuals that become great friendships in and out of paddling.”
Sprint to the River
The first stretch of the race is a chaotic dash to the water. Paddlers sprint from the starting line in Grayling, carrying their canoes on their shoulders as they race toward the AuSable River. The crowd roars as competitors push off into the dark current, headlamps flickering as they disappear downstream.
For the next 14 to 19 hours, paddlers will battle exhaustion, unpredictable currents and the ever-present challenge of staying ahead of their competitors. The strongest teams work in perfect harmony, their strokes synchronized to maintain a relentless pace.
Fans and feeders follow the race closely, going from checkpoint to checkpoint to catch a glimpse of their paddlers and offer food and drink.
By the time the sun rises over Michigan, the lead paddlers are closing in on the final stretch. The last miles are a test of willpower, with paddlers pushing past cramps, blisters and sheer exhaustion.
More Than a Race
For the people of Grayling and the surrounding communities, the AuSable River Canoe Marathon is more than just a sporting event—it’s a tradition. Many of the competitors return year after year, drawn not just by the competition but by the camaraderie and the unique bond between paddlers, feeders and fans.
With the marathon scheduled at the end of July each year, this year marks Grayling’s 77th AuSable Race Canoe Marathon.
“The sense of community here is incredible,” Millikin said. “Everyone is invested in this race, whether they’re racing, feeding or cheering from the sidelines.”
As the last paddlers cross the finish line and the cheers echo across the water, the AuSable River Canoe Marathon once again cements its place as one of the toughest, most inspiring endurance races in the world. For those who take part—whether paddlers, feeders or spectators—it is an experience like no other.
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