Akron holds inaugural paddle race
On May 20, 2017, over 60 people came out to take part in the first-ever Portage & Paddle race, a fundraising event for the West Hill neighborhood.
Paddlers with canoes and kayaks met at Nesmith Lake, and from there raced down the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from the lake to the locks in Akron's downtown. Bikers and hikers also took part, following along at the side of the watercourse.
Rich Swirsky, who is the councilman for Akron Ward 1, started the race. Those who were in the water paddled a course that was nearly five miles long. At one point, they had to portage their boats approximately a half-mile. Their destination was Lock 3 park, where everyone enjoyed box lunches.
Tom Crain organized the event, and said people enjoyed themselves, traveling through many different neighborhoods, and even seeing wildlife living and thriving close to the city.
Organizers hope to expand the race in future so that the event includes authentic entertainment reflecting the history of the Portage path – a trail eight miles long used by Native Americans. They also would like to increase the competition by including relay teams. Organizers hope to make the race an annual event; this first contest raised $1,500 on behalf of the West Hill Neighborhood Community Development Corporation.
Events like this can flourish if organizers work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for residents describing the race and its purpose.
Paddlers with canoes and kayaks met at Nesmith Lake, and from there raced down the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from the lake to the locks in Akron's downtown. Bikers and hikers also took part, following along at the side of the watercourse.
Rich Swirsky, who is the councilman for Akron Ward 1, started the race. Those who were in the water paddled a course that was nearly five miles long. At one point, they had to portage their boats approximately a half-mile. Their destination was Lock 3 park, where everyone enjoyed box lunches.
Tom Crain organized the event, and said people enjoyed themselves, traveling through many different neighborhoods, and even seeing wildlife living and thriving close to the city.
Organizers hope to expand the race in future so that the event includes authentic entertainment reflecting the history of the Portage path – a trail eight miles long used by Native Americans. They also would like to increase the competition by including relay teams. Organizers hope to make the race an annual event; this first contest raised $1,500 on behalf of the West Hill Neighborhood Community Development Corporation.
Events like this can flourish if organizers work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for residents describing the race and its purpose.