Consumers Energy 77th AuSable River Canoe Marathon
Spectator Guide
Boat 77
Sponsored By Grayling Insurance & Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company • Published By The Crawford County Avalanche • July, 2025
A Number Etched in Marathon History John Baker’s storied legacy still ripples through the AuSable River in the race’s 77th year
By Stacy Smale When this year’s AuSable River Canoe Marathon paddlers were assigned their boat numbers, Aaron Lovell and Jeff Knaus didn’t think twice about landing Boat 77. But when they learned the legacy tied to that number — that John Baker, a four-time champion and fivetime runner-up, once raced under that very banner — they were intrigued and
honored. “Honestly, I didn’t know much of the history behind the number or the boat,” Lovell, who previously raced Boat 77 in 2023, said. “I just wanted to get my number again this year. [Baker] finished a lot sooner than I will be.” In the 77th running of one of North America’s most grueling and storied canoe races, the coincidence isn’t lost on
fans or competitors. For Baker, whose quiet determination and endurance helped define the sport, Boat 77 carries more than just a number — it carries a legacy. “I would say the most unique thing about John, and paddling with John, is he’s meticulous,” Baker’s two-time Marathon racing teammate Ken Brown said. “There is no wasted energy in
The Luck of the River
By Camren Money The paddlers in the Consumers Energy 77th AuSable River Canoe Marathon have trained all year for race night. Many of them have put in upwards of 100 hours in the canoe to prepare. But no matter how prepared any paddler or feed team is for the race, they cannot game the luck of the river. Canoe racing can be a cruel sport, and the AuSable with its shallow upper half and the Marathon with its 8 hours paddling in darkness are crueler still. So much has to break right for a team to finish in under 19 hours. Paddlers must battle with their own fatigue, the water levels, competition level, illness, in(continued on page 24)
anything he ever does. It’s all calculated, and it’s all planned step-by-step. That’s what people really noticed about him more than anything, and for me, that’s probably my biggest respect for him.” Baker’s planning paid off, winning the Marathon in 1976 with John Schwartz, 1978 with Jay Stephan, Jr., 1980 with Ron Williams, and 1981 with Ken (continued on page 11)
Table of Contents
Photo by Monica McGivern Photography
AuSable River Canoe Marathon Prizes.................................................................2 Paddling Team Profiles (Received Through July 7)....................................3-10 Division Bonuses........................................................................................................10 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Course Map/Road Closures............... 14-15 Triple Crown Standings............................................................................................ 17 2025 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network...................................19 Thank You Marathon Sponsors......................................................................20-22 Marathon Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees............................................................. 23 AuSable Marathon Scholarship Winners.......................................................... 25 AuSable River Challenge (ARC) 120................................................................... 26 AuSable River Festival Schedule Of Events.......................................................27 Da$h For Ca$h/C-1 Express/Special Olympics.............................................. 28