A buddy and I are doing the MR145 next weekend.

1st time we are doing anything like this...figured go big, or go home.

Looking for any tips/advice for doing this...we are experienced bwca trippers...but, doing MR145 as a challenge, and stretch our paddling wings.

To date, the farthest we've gone in a canoe is 25mi (non-stop).

Not used to paddling with current. Anyone know how much speed the MS river will add to the canoe? We are cautiously optimistic that it will add 1.5mph.

Thoughts? Advice? Feedback?

Thanks!

It depends on how high the river is(flow rate). I did the MR48 last year and water levels were higher than normal. I averaged around 9 miles an hour in a solo canoe, so it added about 4-5 mph.

For those of you that don't know (and I was one of them), the MR 145 is a 145 mile race on the Mississippi River. Here's a link to the info.

MR 145

You guys are monsters. Hope you have a great race and come back to tell us all about it.

Wonder what the starting time is?-it starts a mile from my house.

I -think I found it?
2025 Mississippi River 145 Race, Tour & Relay
Friday, June 13, 2025 3:00 PM (GMT-5) - Sunday, June 15, 2025 5:00 PM (GMT-5).
I know you just get started and have a portage around the dam in Brainerd.

Did the MR 150 a few years ago ( longer course that year). The river was low and slow! Bottomed out in the middle of the channel in a solo boat. Some surfskis got pretty scratched up. Did the SR 230 the last 2 years, 1 in high water, 1 in low water. What a difference in my times! Those that do the best sleep the least.

It starts at Lum Park in Brainerd at 3pm.

It goes up 6mi to Green's point, turns around, and comes back to the dam (12mi loop to the dam).

It's my understanding they did this to stretch out the contestants, so it's not so much of a traffic jam at the portage.

Then, all the way down (133mi) to the Miss. River to Champlin.

SammyN: "It starts at Lum Park in Brainerd at 3pm.


It goes up 6mi to Green's point, turns around, and comes back to the dam (12mi loop to the dam).

It's my understanding they did this to stretch out the contestants, so it's not so much of a traffic jam at the portage.

Then, all the way down (133mi) to the Miss. River to Champlin. "

Above the dam you will have just a slight current all the way to Greens point. Once below the dam the current picks up and still modest. Get below Brainerd and down toward Camp Ripley is a nice scenic stretch. you probably will hear some loud booms. They been shooting some big guns down there lately. Water level is fairly decent now.
That's a late start 3 PM. I suppose that way you will end up in the daylight?

Pinetree:
That's a late start 3 PM. I suppose that way you will end up in the daylight?"

That's the goal.

Curious to see how much speed the current will add. Looking at previous finishers, those guys are animals.

In 2023, BeaV and Kendra did it in 26hrs. But, water levels change so much from year to year. One year, people completed it in 19hrs

Here are previous year results:
https://twopaddles.org/results

We've been dreaming about wanting to do Krueger for a while now. Figured we would give the 145 a try. If we can complete the 145 we will think more seriously about Krueger.

SammyN,
The Kruger-Waddell challenge is totally worth it. Go for it.

Fyi...in case anyone is interested in tracking the race, it should be available here:

https://www.webscorer.com/racemap/viewracers?raceid=371181

Thanks for the link. Excited to follow along!

My wife and I have been kayaking different stretches of the Mississippi River just north of the coon rapids dam the last few weekends. For sure a new experience to paddle with current.

I have also had my eye on the border route challenge the last few years. However once I tell people the details of the grand portage they lose interest really quickly!

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. I've done the MR145 two times, once with low water, once with high water. This year is not high so current will help, but be less of an issue. Above each dam is flat water. Below each dam can be a lot of current and eddy lines so be cautious and keep your paddle moving.

Thanks for posting the map link. I always have trouble finding it...not a fan of webscorer as a tracking tool.

Would love to have you come do the Kruger-Waddell Border Route Challenge. I've done the shortest and the mid-lengths of the Border Route Challenge and will be back this year. The key is to travel light so you can single portage. The Grand Portage is just a matter of pacing yourself. Taking a short break every 30-45 minutes to drink water and take in calories helps.

How was the race? Did not know what boat number you were so did not know how to follow along. A couple of my friends did it and said it was very difficult. I'm going to do the now 7 mile short race this morning.

I also stopped in here to see how it went. Brutal conditions this year!

So, we DNF'd at mile 80 or so. My paddle partner was wrecked. He just couldn't move.

We actually didn't think conditions were that bad. Just a normal spring-time boundary water's paddle. (rain, fog, rocks, portaging, etc..).

We learned a lot. How to better prepare for things. I hope to do it again.

Keep at it

SammyN: "So, we DNF'd at mile 80 or so. My paddle partner was wrecked. He just couldn't move.


We actually didn't think conditions were that bad. Just a normal spring-time boundary water's paddle. (rain, fog, rocks, portaging, etc..).


We learned a lot. How to better prepare for things. I hope to do it again."

With a race that length, proper nutrition and hydration is very important. Glad you learned a lot and hope to see you next year.