Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

Original presentation by Scott Mansker

Founder of Rivermiles and race organizer of the Missouri American Water MR340- Kansas City, MO

August 8, 2012

The website for the MR340 says: “Imagine a race across the entire state of Missouri, just you and your boat thrown against 340 miles of wind, heat, bugs and rain. This ain’t no mama’s boy float trip. This race promises to test your mettle from the first stroke in Kansas City to the last gasp in St. Charles. Just entering it will impress your friends. Finishing it will astound them… and winning it? Well, you always thought you were sort of a legend anyway, didn’t you? It’s time to prove it.”

One of the world’s most challenging physical endurance tests happens right here on the Missouri River. The 7th Annual Missouri American Water MR340 took place July 31 – Aug. 3 from Kansas City, KS to St. Charles, MO. Paddlers must make the journey in 88 hours or less, with the fastest boats finishing the trip in a day and a half. Just a few days after the end of this year’s epic race, organizer Scott Mansker joined a panel of paddlers and race volunteers to discuss how the race works, what it takes to finish and why it’s become the biggest event on the Missouri River.