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GRAYLING — One of North America’s premier endurance sporting events returns this weekend as the 2026 Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon welcomes elite ultra-marathon canoe racing athletes from across the United States and Canada to the AuSable River Valley for the race’s 78th running.
Beginning Saturday in downtown Grayling at 9 p.m. with the iconic LeMans-style run to the river, and ending Sunday on the shores of Lake Huron in Oscoda, the 120-mile overnight race challenges two-person canoe teams to navigate the AuSable River through darkness, obstacles, changing river and weather conditions, and 14 to 19 hours of competition. The Marathon is regarded as one of the world’s most demanding canoe races and one of Michigan’s signature sporting traditions.
The event attracts thousands of spectators to communities along the river while drawing many of the sport’s top competitors. Racers representing 17 U.S. states and Canadian provinces will compete for one of marathon canoe racing’s most prestigious championships.
“The Consumers Energy AuSable Marathon represents the very best of marathon canoe racing,” said Spokesperson Phil Weiler. “Our volunteers, sponsors, river communities and dedicated fans create an atmosphere unlike anything else in our sport. Every year, the world’s finest paddlers come here knowing they’ll face one of the greatest challenges in endurance racing.”
The Marathon is the second leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, following New York’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta and preceding Quebec’s Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie. Success on the AuSable River is often pivotal in determining the season-long Triple Crown championship.
During Marathon Week, fans can watch Sprints for position on Friday at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, where teams race a looped course against the clock. Those times determine the starting order for Saturday night’s iconic LeMans-style run through downtown Grayling and into the AuSable River.
Paddle with a professional
Held at the same time as the Sprints, is Paddle With a Professional. This Special Olympics-type race involves paddlers who volunteer for a “fun race,” partnering with people with disabilities. That race is sponsored by the Grayling Knights of Columbus, UpNorthVoice.com, Penrod’s and Sylvester’s of Grayling. Participants are awarded custom shirts, hats and medals as part of the event.
Fans who can’t attend can follow the race through livestream coverage throughout Race Week and on Race Day. On Saturday, July 25, Race Night coverage begins at 6 p.m. with the Pre-Race Program and introduction of Ppddlers. Coverage continues overnight with live updates and periodic reports from locations along the river before concluding with live finish-line coverage in Oscoda.
Livestream reports will be available on the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Facebook page and YouTube channel. Race reports also will air on 98.5 WUPS and Black Diamond Broadcasting’s ARCM Radio Network.
The event coincides with the AuSable River Festival, festival vendors, foods and crafts in downtown Grayling, and the Grayling City Park.
Follow additional updates on Instagram @ausablemarathon and Facebook @AuSableRiverCanoeMarathon using #HupAllNight, #ARCM and #RoadToTheTripleCrown.
Complete spectator resources, race history, schedules and live statistics are available at www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.
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