Race Day Schedule: Pick up your pin on race number, course map and t-shirts during the 7:30-8:30AM check-in time at the East Grand School gymnasium. During this time you will also need to load your canoes, bikes and any loose gear needed at checkpoints (numbered) onto the appropriate vehicles & trailers in front of the school. Pre race meeting is 8:45AM, load buses for the starting line at 9AM. After the outdoor course is completed, race participants are shuttled (ongoing shuttle) back to the school's gym for the climbing wall challenge and lunch. Showers are available next to the gym. Awards presented in the gym after the climbing wall challenge, lunch and race times are tallied. We are aiming to present awards at 3PM

Safety: Danforth Fire Department, Dirigo Search and Rescue of Bangor, members of the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization and many local volunteers will be assisting with the race.

Level of difficulty: While the race will be physically challenging. It is not beyond the reach of those who are in reasonably good physical condition. We highly recommend a routine of training, well before the race that includes biking, jogging/running and canoeing. There will be a mandatory five minute break between each element to take a short break, eat a snack, and take a drink before heading out on the next leg of the race.  Drinks and snacks provided at checkpoints.

Breakfast: Eat a good breakfast prior to arriving at East Grand.  (The Millyard Cafe serves breakfast and is located 1/3 of a mile north of the school. Rt. 1 on the left).

Equipment & Clothing

Bikes: Mountain bike (any style of mountain bike is fine), Helmets required.

Canoes: Recreation canoes-16% at the 4" waterline, min. weight-6LBs plus 3LBs per ft. of length. These canoe are usually made of ABS, Royalex, and Polyethylene materials. Example, Old Town Discovery Series 169 and 174, Penobscot Series 17 & 18.5). Race boats are permitted in the open division. Two proper fitting type III PFDs and these must be worn during the race. At least three paddles (one being a spare.), baler. Optional: a farmer john style wet suit in case of cold, rainy weather or if a canoe upsets.

Map: You will be given a waterproof map with starting and ending points (A to B) for the compass run. You will need to take into account for declination (see PDF of map and compass basics below). The bike and canoe routes are clearly marked on the map. The bike route is marked by yellow direction of travel signs.

Compass: You will need a basic compass with lanyard that includes a base plate with direction of travel arrow. Know how to use your compass with a map! While point A to B is given for the compass run. It is your responsibility to become familiar with how to align a map taking into account for declination and following a bearing. Be sure to download 'How to use your map & compass' below.  

Clothing: Racers should have proper clothing and footwear. Clothing should be of synthetic materials (fleece & Polypropylene) used with an outer shell such as a wind breaker. You may want to place a spare set of clothing in your canoe in a waterproof bag to change into in the event of an upset canoe. Note: Extra gear and clothing will need to be labeled with your race number and loaded onto the appropriate vehicles in front of the school during the AM check in process in order to have it at transition points.

Need to rent equipment? Contact Dave well in advance to check on availability. Gear for rent: 169 Old Town Discovery Canoes: $20.00, Life Jackets $5.00, straight shaft aluminum/plastic paddles $3.00 or $30.00 for canoe, two life jackets and three paddles. Note: East Grand will not have extra Mountain bikes to rent out.

Staying overnight: If you are coming a long distance and prefer to come the night before. Please contact Dave for accommodation options. They range from pitching a tent on East Grand Lake, to lodging in the area.

Directions To East Grand High School

When coming from central and southern Maine, take 95 north to exit 227. In Lincoln, take a left onto Rt. 6. Follow Rt. 6 through town and east to Springfield. In Springfield, take a left onto Rt. 169, bear right twice over the next 20+ miles for Danforth. In Danforth, cross over the train tracks go up over the hill and take a left onto Rt. 1 north, the school is on the right. From the Houlton area and points north, take Rt. 1 South to Danforth, the school is on the left. From Down East Maine, take Rt. 1 north, Rt. 1 makes a right turn in Danforth, turn right and the school is on the right.

Questions? If you need more information, please contact Dave Conley, Home Tel. 207-448-2743, Cell 207-551-8729 Email: dave@canoethewild.com