NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

11/07/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - The Northwestern State University Crew will host the 16th annual Marathon Rowing Championships Saturday on Cane River Lake. The race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. depending on weather conditions.

The Marathon Rowing Championships is the only continuous 26-mile rowing marathon on a lake in the nation. Up to 400 competitors are expected to take part in the event in kayaks, canoes, sculling, sweep racing shells and even a currach, a handmade Viking whaling ship.

"People come to this race because there isn't another one like it," said NSU crew coach Alan Pasch. "Cane River doesn't have a current, so there is nothing to help the rowers out. The Marathon Rowing Championship attracts many die hard extreme athletes."

Cane River Lake is closed to all but regatta boats on the day of the Marathon. The Marathon begins near Melrose Plantation and ends at the Church Street Bridge in downtown Natchitoches and spectators are welcome to cheer on the rowers along the route. Following the race, a gumbo cookout will be held on the downtown riverbank for participants.

"About 75 percent of the competitors are repeat participants," said Pasch. "They appreciate the hospitality of the people of Natchitoches and the things we do for them, like the gumbo cookout and the quality of medals we present."

Pasch said rowing teams and individual rowers are major contributors to the local economy. Several rowing teams come to Natchitoches in the spring and stay for several days.

For more information about the Marathon, contact Pasch at (318) 357-5921 or log on to www.nsula.edu/nsucrew.

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