The event, which draws participants in canoes, kayaks, guideboats and stand-up paddleboards for a race along a segment of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, canceled its final day of racing on Sunday due to high winds and hazardous conditions for the first time since 2016. Northern Forest Canoe Trail Executive Director Karrie Thomas said she believes is the right decision.

“The forecast was for sustained 15 mile an hour winds all day with 30-plus mile an hour gusts, which in it of itself is a huge challenge,” she said. “On top of that, the temperature was in the 40s, which is a pretty solid combination for hypothermia — and on top of that, there were going to be squalls in the forecast. To me, there was no safe option to let the race go.”

It was 41st running of the 90-miler. The race was first organized by Sue Dyer in 1982. It was then organized by Brian and Grace McDonnell, starting in 1999, before ownership and operations were transferred to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in 2021.

Royal McDonnell, the son of Brian and Grace, took part in the event for the 14th time this weekend. He said the event is basically a holiday for him.

The Blue Crusher Flowers, which features, Donna Walsh, Chrissy Hayden, Cary Hall and Heidi Kretser shows off their C-4 Stock Masters and Under 40 female second place plaque on Sunday in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“It’s everyone from everywhere,” he said. “It’s welcoming and it’s a good time to have the love for the sport.”

McDonnell, who was in a two-person kayak dubbed Royal/Skeels, had the fastest total time — based on the two days. He said it was the first time he’s ever recorded the fastest time in the event.

“We snuck it in by about four and a half minutes. It was a good close race,” he said. “It also helps that there were guys in our wave, so we knew where they were, so they definitely pushed us, because they knew where we were, too.”

The race kicked off in Old Forge on Friday and the day ended 35-miles down stream in Blue Mountain Lake. The second day started at Bissell’s on Long Lake and finished at the state Raquette River Boat Launch on Routes 3 and 30 outside of Tupper Lake. In total, the racers completed 65 miles.

“Day one was pretty awesome, you can’t ask for much better than 70 degrees, and we got kind of good winds,” McDonnell said.

Donna Walsh, of Saranac Lake, shows off her pin for completing her 30th 90-miler on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“(Saturday) was a great day in many ways. It poured all day, but we still had people in the parking lot cheering when the very last boat came across the water,” Thomas said. “We had volunteers that stayed out there all day to make sure that everybody came through safe.”

While the race was officially canceled, an awards ceremony was still held at Riverfront Park in Saranac Lake at a much earlier time than usual. Despite the cold weather, those who participated showed out — mostly in multiple layers of clothing — to accept their awards.

“Some people are really excited to get their plaques, but mostly they’re excited to hang out with the people that they have been racing with year after year,” Thomas said. “Most people do this because they love the people and the Adirondacks — it’s a great excuse to come here.”

During the ceremony, the top three finishers from each class — based on the two days — were given plaques, while all finishers were awarded individual pins based on how many times they’ve competed in the event. Holly Crouch has taken part in 40 Adirondack Canoe Classic races, with the exception of one when she was overseas for military service.

“Anywhere from 20 to 40 (years completed) it’s just an incredible group that comes back,” Thomas said. “The miracle is when those Gold Canoe Paddlers (20 years of competing) meet the year one paddlers, and the year one paddlers kind of stand in awe and try to imagine what it would be like to do this impossible thing that they just did 30 more times. It’s an inspiration, so it’s so valuable to have them.”