DISPATCH 1

Hello Friends!

I'm Christina Ruiz and I am your new Race Manager with Missouri River Relief. I am so proud to have the opportunity to officially welcome you to this event. I’m delighted to have a new role involving this race, and I look forward to the collective journey.

Race Founder Scott Mansker is still serving as the Race Director this year. But you can consider me your first contact for any of your questions or needs for the race. If you email racing@riverrelief.org we'll both get it!

I have found every MR340 to be unique, and if you are a recurring veteran I think you’ll agree with that statement. If you are new to the MR340, congrats on the start of something great!

Having personally competed in MR340 races from “last in the pack” to an eventual 38 hour finish years later, I know that planning and strategizing can make a big impact on fulfilling your personal MR340 goals, whatever those goals happen to be.

This is the first Dispatch for 2022. We will send you 5 or more of these as we get closer to the race. It is REALLY IMPORTANT that you read all of these! I hope you find the first dispatch of 2022 a kick off to your own planning and strategizing because, in some ways, this is the start of your race.

It can also help to read past years' dispatches (though some info might be out of date), and you can find them on the Rivermiles forum. Here's a link to last year's dispatches - http://www.rivermiles.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1620314685

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The 17th Annual MR340 is July 12-15 with mandatory check-in at Kaw Point Park on July 11 between noon and 8pm.

Here are some things to know.

MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF
The MR340 is Missouri River Relief’s biggest fundraising event of the year!  We are so excited to bring you this event as part of our portfolio of river activities including cleanups, education and paddling on our beautiful river.  Learn more about our mission at http://www.riverrelief.org

YOU AND YOUR BOAT
Please check the roster at http://www.rivermiles.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1637597723.

You can use CTRL-F to find your name.  Make sure we've got good information there for you, your partner and your boat.  If it says you need to choose a new number, that's because yours was taken when you signed up.  There are 10,000 number choices between 0001 and 9999 but somehow everyone wants the same 400 numbers.  Choose another number and use CTRL-F to see if it's already gone.  Send your choice to scott@rivermiles.com You need these numbers on both sides of your bow.  Please use numbers at least 3 inches high and reflective.  Mailbox numbers work great and meet both criteria.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS
You should also start working on navigation lights for your boat. These are required. Red and Green at the bow and a White light at your stern. Our race sponsor Some Beach Outfitters carries these lights, which you can also find on Amazon and elsewhere - https://somebeachoutfitters.com/product-category/new/accessories/safety-and-pfds

They are waterproof, last 100 hours and pretty darn bright.  Make sure you set them for steady on, not blinking.  And you'll want to tape off the portions that shine toward you.  You want them visible from 360 degrees around your boat, but you won't want them shining on you, including the one behind you which will light up your paddle and hurt your night vision.

These are relatively cheap and last forever.  Don't scrimp on your lights!  It's one of the easiest things you can do to keep yourself safe out there.

Here's a good video about navigation lights on the MR340 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpEmRnibp2Y.

Your boat can be staged at the park on the 11th when you check in.  We will patrol the park all night but we are not responsible for any damage or loss of boat.  Make sure you leave boat only and no paddles or gear.  It will make the next morning much easier.

GET OUT AND PRACTICE
There are some early season races in the area that can get you out on the river so you can see what you need to work on and look at how other folks have rigged their boats.  Check these out:
April 9: Perche Creek Gut-Buster (10 miles) email Charlie at cnlockwood01@gmail.com
April 16: Mean Lamine (13.4 miles) https://midwestpaddleracing.com/mean-lamine
May 21: RPC3 Shootout (51 miles) https://midwestpaddleracing.com/shootout-1
June 18: Freedom Race (60 miles) https://midwestpaddleracing.com/freedom

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
You don't have to reinvent the single blade.  Literally 1000s of folks have taken on this challenge and refined the art of finishing.  Better to learn from mistakes before you even leave your couch.  Here's a place filled with links to resources that will keep you unproductive at work for weeks!

●      Rivermiles MR340 Resources - https://rivermiles.com/mr340-resources/#General_MR340_Race_Info
●      Pay special attention to this youtube channel where Chris Luedke has years of great videos to shorten the learning curve. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjTAGGN9ArvdwcofYeM1ZWQ
●      Also, Chris has been hosting webinars with veteran paddlers called MR340 LIVE, which you can check out here - https://riverrelief.org/mr340-live_2021/
●      "MR340 First Time Finisher" - This book by racer Steve Jackson was written in  2013, so some of the race details are out of date. But it has tons of timeless advice on training, preparing, gearing up and strategies for finishing your first time in the race - https://www.amazon.com/Missouri-River-First-Time-Finisher/dp/0989637514

FACEBOOK
Our Facebook group is over 8000 strong.  A great community of racers who share news about training runs on the river, gear for sale, ground crew information, shuttle opportunities, etc.  Ask a question and you'll get an answer FAST.  It's also where our sponsors can share info on sales and promotions.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/188849561244166/

Checkpoints and Cutoff Times:

Tuesday:

1. Kaw Point, mile 367.5, Race Begins Tuesday, July 12.  7am solos, 8am everything else.  All boats MUST check in via RaceOwl on July 11 at packet pickup between noon and 8pm.
   
2. Waverly, mile 293.5, (74 miles) 800pm Tuesday  Leg avg. (5.69mph for solos, 6.17mph tandems)
Wednesday:

3. Glasgow, mile 226, (68 miles) 4pm Wed.  Leg avg. 3.4mph  (assumes Waverly departure of 8pm Tuesday)

Thursday:

4. Jefferson City, mile 144, (82 miles) 4pm Thurs.  Leg avg. 3.42mph (assumes Glasgow departure of 4pm Wednesday)
Friday:
      
5. Hermann, mile 98, (46 miles) 8am Friday  Leg avg. 2.88mph (assumes Jeff City departure of 4pm Thursday)
   
6. Klondike, mile 56 (42 miles) 4pm Friday  Leg avg. 5.25mph   
   
7. St. Charles, mile 29, finish line, (27 miles)  9pm Friday  Leg avg. 5.4mph

Total of 85 Hours for 8am start (4mph) 86 for 7am start.  (3.95mph)

You have control over your destiny via training and preparation.  Efficient paddling is crucial for those first 74 miles.  Minimize wasted time.  Stay in the fast water.  Stay in the boat.  Draft when possible.  Travel as light as possible.  Keep yourself in your boat and your paddle in the water.

After Waverly, the cutoff times get easier because we assume short stops at the checkpoints and continued commitment to the Stay In The Boat philosophy.  By Glasgow, most paddlers have enough time banked up that they aren't worried about cutoff times anymore.

REAPER
The Reaper is one of our safety boats.  But she has a specialized mission and that's to run at exactly the pace that a paddler would need to run to BARELY make the cutoff times at each checkpoint.  So the Reaper is a visual on the water of where the cutoff line is at it approaches a checkpoint. 

If the Reaper beats you to Waverly, you are out.  If it beats you to any checkpoint, you are out.  IF it passes you before a checkpoint but then you pass it back, you're fine.  All that matters is that you beat her to the checkpoint.  She'll be running the approximate MPH as indicated on the checkpoint chart above.  And arrives precisely at the cutoff. Keep in mind - if the Reaper is flying the skull & crossbones flag, it’s “reaping”, if not, it may be on another safety boat mission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dKkbbstC_0 is about the reaper.

CHECKPOINT VS. PADDLESTOP
Firstly, you are not required to stop anywhere.  Just to check in as you pass. 
You are only required to check in at the checkpoints.  Paddlestops are just places we've got volunteers and safety boats if needed.  And sometimes food.
Check ins are done only at checkpoints and done only by phone.  We use RaceOwl, developed and maintained by the great Jon Marble.

We will explain more about Race Owl in the next Dispatch.

GROUND CREW REQUIREMENTS
●      Every boat must have a ground crew.
●      Your ground crew may be physically present (preferred) or Virtual.

A physically present ground crew is pretty obvious.  They are following you by road ramp to ramp and meeting your resupply needs.  They can watch your progress on RaceOwl and know down to the minute when you will likely be at the next landing.  If you are exceptionally late to a meeting, they would know to alert one of our safety boats and we could check on you if needed.   

Ground crews tend to have fun and enjoy the experience.  It's an adventure for them too!  Sleep deprivation, boy scout hot dogs, pit toilets, they get the whole experience.  If you don't have a physical ground crew yet, work on getting one!

Virtual ground crew means they aren't actually there to meet you, but they are tracking your remotely.  This is important because they would alert us if you were late to a planned arrival.  We wouldn't know anything was amiss until the checkpoint closed.  But your VGC would know because they would be paying attention to RaceOwl or you would be texting them routinely saying "We plan to be at Hermann by midnight, will text you then" and if they didn't hear from you by, say, 2am, they could let us know that you may be having trouble upstream. 

Get your ground crew and get them trained up on RaceOwl, texting in, etc.  It will pay off!

FOOD
We strive to have concessions at all the checkpoints and most paddlestops.  For the most part, these are non-profit groups that depend on the 340 for a big chunk of their annual fundraising.  Here's our list so far.

Lexington (Paddlestop)
Boy scout grill

Waverly (Checkpoint)
Boy scout grill at both ramps

Miami (Paddlestop)
Community fundraiser grill

Dalton Bottoms (Paddlestop – newly reopened!)
No food vendor, but safety boat will be available

Glasgow (Checkpoint)
Fresh On The Go food truck

Franklin Island (Paddlestop)
Pending – food will be available

Cooper's Landing (Paddlestop)
Cooper's will be selling food and drink throughout to paddlers and spectators

Jefferson City (Checkpoint)
Boy scout grill

Hermann (Checkpoint)
Boy scout grill

New Haven (Paddlestop)
Pending

Klondike (Checkpoint)
Free Food from The Nature Conservancy

Finish Line (Checkpoint)
Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Schlafly Brewery and Athletic Brewing

PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
These are required by our Coast Guard Permit and must be worn on the water at all times subject to time penalty and disqualification.  Find one that is comfortable and functional.  They don't have to be expensive.  The kind they make for fishing are remarkably handy and allow for lots of movement (like casting a pole or a paddle) and have cool little pockets in front for sunscreen or lip balm, etc.  Treat YO Self.

Our Safety boats will be checking for PFDs. We know that some of you wear low-profile inflatable PFDs that we can’t see from a distance. If we ask, please graciously let us know you have an inflatable.

FINISH LINE
Medals and trophies are awarded to you as you finish. BUT you are all invited to our Finish Line Party sponsored by Big Muddy Adventures & Schlafly Brewing at the Lewis & Clark Boathouse.  There will be food and beer available as well as live music. The Party is sponsored by Terrain Magazine and Schlafly Brewing.

We will be recognizing all podium (1st -3rd) finishers live on the music stage between songs.  So it should be a great time!  The music starts at 6pm and trophies soon after during music breaks.  Beer will be cold and plentiful.  As well as the famous Lewis And Clark Boathouse hard lemonades! This was such a blast last year!  Plan to be there and celebrate!

MORE TO COME
This is just the beginning of the information fire hose aimed squarely at you.  But we'll let you digest all those links and videos and gain some skeletal background first before we flesh out the muscular details.  If you're a rookie, fear not!  We were all once rookies and we're still here.  You'll do great.  Welcome to the family!  And if you're a veteran, well, we knew you'd be back.  We told you.  And we're looking forward to seeing you again!

In the meantime, send your questions to racing@riverrelief.org and we'll get you squared away. 

Shameless plug: https://rivermiles.com/shop/

100% of purchases go to Missouri River Relief operations!

Your Race Manager,
Christina Ruiz
racing@riverrelief.org

DISPATCH 3

Hello, MR340 friends!

If you’ve recently registered for this year’s race, please check out the previous Dispatches to catch up on a variety of race topics we’ve mentioned so far. You can also find info in the MR340 Resources that have been compiled over time. Join the MR340 Facebook community for race conversation as well. And as always, feel free to reach out if you still have any questions we can help answer.

About half of our racers are returning race veterans. If this is your first year, know that you will have a fair amount of contact with other racers on the water, especially during your first couple days. You’re not alone out there. Pick the brains of those veteran racers along the way. Every one of these folks will have their own unique pieces of advice, and many are going to be just as happy to share their experiences with you as you will be to learn from them.

And there is no end to the stories from repeat racers. I once saw Dracula in a blue bath robe on the back of Scott Mansker’s safety boat, holding his robe like a cape disguising his face. Scott was just standing there steering the boat, somehow completely clueless to the threat behind him. Dracula approached Scott sneakily on tip toes. I screamed loudly, “Scott, watch out!!” And suddenly, when Scott yelled back, “What?!”, the scary bather was gone.

Plenty to discuss out there along 340 miles.

We’re working on this year’s online safety meeting video which is required for all racers to watch. You’ll be able to watch that at your leisure and in advance of the mandatory Check-In on Monday 7/11/22. A link for that video will be coming your way before long.

Monday, 7/11/22 Race Check-In

You’ll arrive at Kaw Point between noon and 8:00 p.m. the day before the race to turn in your waiver, pick up your t-shirt, and grab a required safety card with safety info you’ll keep in your boat (we’ll have some printed on waterproof paper for you). You’ll double-check all of your contact and race info with us and provide any last-minute edits. Chat with some of the race sponsors that will be available, load up on some MR340 and Missouri River Relief merch at our merch tent, and get your last minute RaceOwl questions answered. You’ll have your first official Checkpoint check-in at Kaw Point during this time.

You are welcome to drop off your empty boat during Check-In. We will have folks at Kaw Point Park all night keeping an eye on things. Leave at your own risk, but we’ve never had any issues either. Bring your paddles and other race gear and supplies the morning of race start. It’ll make your early morning arrival for the race a lot easier. We’ll have an important race day parking plan for you in an upcoming Dispatch that you’ll want to be sure to share with your crew.

What can you expect on the water Day 1? Hopefully not Dracula, but let’s run through it.

Butterflies in the stomach. You’ll want to arrive early, load up your boat, and quickly launch into water either from the ramp or along an open bank space of the Kansas River. Give yourself time to float around upstream of the ramp or park yourself along either side of the bank. The official starting line is anywhere upstream of the boat ramp. Take some time to sit, relax, and breathe.

The race begins promptly at 7:00 a.m. for all solos and at 8:00 a.m. for all other divisions, unless for some reason we have a storm or fog delay.

Once the race begins, be mindful of the transition of water from the Kansas “Kaw” River to the Missouri River. The Kaw is slow moving and the Missouri will be faster. If you crowd in close to other racers at the start take off, you increase your chances of colliding with other boats or flipping over at the confluence. Give yourself and everyone around you some room for that movement as you angle to the right entering the Missouri.

In the event you do flip at the start, Kansas City Fire Department will have rescue boats in the water, and we will have safety boats available as well. Stay with your boat and wait for help. Fellow racers – watch out for anyone in the water and lend a hand as you would anywhere else along the course until other help can assist.

The Kaw has plenty of room from bank to bank to spread out. And this race has plenty of hours for you to afford a little time to sort out your best starting path. Check out Chris Luedke’s video on the race start for some reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pkYod_xkR8

After you pass the start and clear the upcoming bridges, you’ll eventually get into the rhythm of your first day. You’ll get passed by some boats, and you will pass some boats. Find the pace that feels right for you. It’s a marathon, so you want that sweet spot where you can maintain a steady pace without overdoing it and needing long breaks. You’ll start to notice other boats traveling at your similar speed.

As you get settled into your day you might starting to notice details about your efficiency. Hopefully you have sorted out most of this ahead of time. Here are some things to consider while you can still plan now:

1.      Weight! Less is more. Have your crew carry all the things you won’t need until the next stop where they meet you. Your crew can be your refill of everything ramp to ramp. No need to take multiple days of supplies.

2.      Time off water! Every minute you aren’t on the water is time you’re not benefitting from free current moving toward the finish line. Live in the boat. Eat in the boat. Take any paddle breaks in the boat. Pee in the boat. We have porta-potties set up at a number of ramps along the way, but your body isn’t going to coincide with those exact locations. Plus, you will lose a considerable amount of time getting in and out of ramps just for a tiring walk up to a toilet. Save your time and energy and sort out a pee plan in your boat at your local lake, river, or in your garage ahead of time. The biggest waste of race time we see happens off water. You can easily get pulled into time sucks at ramps. Throw that cheeseburger in the boat and jump back in.

3.      Fine-tuned ground crew! Your ground crew can be physical or virtual, and their primary role is to be aware of your location and health. This is easier for physical ground crews. For virtual crews, you need to have an arrangement between racer and crew for texts or voice contact at regular intervals. If your virtual crew doesn’t hear from you as planned, they are to call a safety boat to report no contact.

Your physical ground crew’s efficiency becomes your efficiency. Have them approach the race with an on-land plan that can include things like using a cart to haul your refill items to the ramp, being the extra hands to move your boat once you are off the water at a stop, the hands that remove your trash from your boat while you stretch, the extra set of eyes to monitor how much and what you are eating and drinking between stops. Text them ahead of time if you have a special need they can have ready for you.

At this point, you’re paddling along as planned, drinking liquids and eating periodically. If you are in a tandem or team boat, use the buddy system and consistently check on each other. Stay cool by dipping your hat in the river. Be aware of your present location as you travel along. And be on the lookout for barge traffic.

Barges and Dredges

Barge traffic on the Missouri is minimal but increasing. We will see 2 or 3 during race week but potentially more. Some are long haul and travel night and day. Some are short haul and just going a half mile back and forth from a sand dredge.

Sand dredges operate mostly during normal daylight work hours.  These are large, noisy, and anchored night and day midstream. You will pass one the first morning. The dredge itself doesn't move, but the cables that anchor it to the bottom will rise and fall out of the water. Keep your distance. The dredges auger up sand from the river bottom for use in construction. The sand is then deposited in sand flats (barges) tied alongside the dredge. As the flat is filled, a small towboat will bring an empty to the other side of the dredge, tie it off, then grab the full one and haul it to shore for offloading. So, if you see a dredge pumping sand, look for the towboat and try to stay out of their path from shore to dredge and back.

At night, the dredges do not usually operate but they will still be there in the water.  They are supposed to leave a light on both ends but you can't count on this as the lights can fail.  You'll want to use your eyes and ears and be ready to grab that strong LED flashlight if needed to light up the river if you need to.

The other type of towboat will be pushing 2-3 barges for long distances, running night and day.  These are bigger and tend to throw a larger wake if moving upstream with a heavy load.  If you see a barge going upstream OR downstream, you need to exit the navigation channel and stay a safe distance away. This can be a good time to tuck behind a wing dike to have a snack and a short rest from the paddle.

Due to the nature of the Missouri River the towboat will be constrained to the navigation channel to assure it will have the depth to proceed.  You, being a tiny little boat, are not constrained to this channel. If you move out of the channel you are almost assured of not being in the way.  Typically, the off-channel side of the river will be the inside of bends.  Here's a great explainer video from Chris Luedke's 340 Paddler channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlvrs8ZdXv0&t=19s

After the barge let's imagine you're getting to a rendezvous with your ground crew. The Missouri River has many boat ramps and adjacent parks, but the MR340 does overwhelm the parking and ramp areas. We all have to work together to keep the ramps functional and keep things moving smoothly.

The main issue at ramps tends to be at the bottom where racers are landing, repacking, and launching in what is often a tight space. We have to leave the bottom of the ramp open so racers can land. Once you land, grab your boat (or have your crew do this) and carry it up the ramp to a spot out of the way. Only the fastest racers will get there early enough to have the ramp to themselves for the ground crew to service their boat at the waterline. Everyone else will often find a crowded ramp and will need to come up the ramp to a clear spot. Please help this happen not just for fellow racers, but for any potential emergency assistance that may need to get quickly out onto the water from a ramp.

Checkpoints

Waverly is the first official Checkpoint this year, river mile 293.5 (74 miles). And this town has two boat ramps. The first is upstream of the bridge, and the second is just downstream. You can choose either one. Both will have food available for sale from the local boy scout troop. Please support them! Both ramps will have restrooms available. If you choose to stop at Waverly, be sure it’s clear with your crew as to which ramp you plan to utilize.

Protocol at a Checkpoint is no different than any other ramp you use in the MR340. Help keep the ramp clear and be efficient. The difference is that at a Checkpoint, you are required to check in electronically using text messaging or the RaceOwl app. Check out all of the detailed RaceOwl info in Dispatch #2.

Checking in is a crucial part of the MR340 safety plan. Remember that your first check in will have happened on Monday, the day before race start at Kaw Point. Waverly will then be the second time you officially check in. We will have a couple RaceOwl volunteers at Waverly if you or your ground crew need an extra bit of help to get the hang of it.

The Waverly Checkpoint cutoff time is 8:00 p.m. Soloists have 13 hours to get there, and everyone has 12 hours. If you don’t arrive by 8:00 p.m., you are out of the race. Remember – stay efficient, especially for Day 1. The Reaper is the pace boat at the rear of the race which will arrive at the speed needed to meet the 8:00 p.m. cutoff at Waverly (and every other Checkpoint close time along the way). More info on the Reaper in Dispatch #1. Beat the Reaper.

The odds are actually in your favor to beat the Reaper to Waverly. Planning can take you far in this race. So now is the time to sort out all the details you can. You still have time!

Some of you will feel a need to hang out or even spend the night at Waverly. Resist that feeling. The park at Waverly has train tracks running through it (and loud, fast trains), and it might well be muggy and buggy. You still have at least another hour of daylight. Have your crew refill what you need, make sure you have your navigation lights working on your boat, and grab your nighttime gear you prepared. Maybe you even have a new paddle buddy you have made on the water. Buddy up and take off.

A good spot downstream to get rest is Hill’s Island, about 12 miles from Waverly at river mile 281. The Reaper will overnight here. Racers who stop at Hill’s Island will leave at various times. Watch for others heading out and join their little packs or their spread-out lines of lights down the water. Gain distance from the Reaper. Hill’s Island can be the last time you even see the Reaper. You’re then headed toward your next Checkpoint, Glasgow, river mile 226.

And there you go. You are through Day 1. You have figured out your pace, you have stayed hydrated, you have eaten and peed in your boat, you have made buds, you have encountered a barge, and you have seen the moon rise over the beautiful Missouri River. You didn’t have many surprises along the way. And you didn’t see Dracula. So far, so good.

Stay tuned for the next Dispatch with more race details.

Do we still have your correct info? Are you in the correct division? Did your partner get registered?
Check the roster: http://www.rivermiles.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1637597723

Use CTRL-F to find your name or just hunt for it. Does everything look right? Is your boat number valid? Make sure your partner is registered. And Email us at racing@riverrelief.org to let us know if you have made any changes to your ground crew, emergency contact, or even boat color. We’ll get you up to date.

Thank you to all of you still actively fundraising for Missouri River Relief! We appreciate you all sharing your fundraiser links and moving up on the Leaderboard. We still have merch ready to send to you all as you hit your next levels on the board.

Keep planning! Get out on some water!

Christina Ruiz
racing@riverrelief.org

DISPATCH 5

Hello again!

The 2022 MR340 Safety Video is available for you to watch!

All racers are required to watch this mandatory video. Included is crucial information you need to know for safely completing the race. You will be required to check on your Race Waiver that you’ve watched the video (and have read all the Dispatches).

Heads up – it’s pretty long. Get a snack and a beverage, sit back, and roll with it. Or watch it in batches if you like. Pause and take notes if you need to. It’s also super helpful if ground crews watch this video.

Need more info about RaceOwl? The 2022 RaceOwl Tutorial is being held on 6/29/22 7:00PM CST. We'll be joined by RaceOwl developer Jon Marble to walk through how to use the RaceOwl app for MR340 race checkpoint check-in and out and auto-tracking, and how race fans can use the RaceOwl website to track their racers' progress.

Only registered users can attend the webinar on Zoom, which allows for Q&A. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p36ACnt2RsqoDi3MpYEwUg?fbclid=IwAR3w...

Or you can watch the presentation live-streamed on the Missouri River Relief YouTube Channel and the recording will later be shared.

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rivertrash1875/

Hope you are fine-tuning your plans and getting as excited as we are!

Christina Ruiz
racing@riverrelief.org