The KR255 is the endurance race of a lifetime. Competitors will start in Beattyville and finish, some of them anyway, in Carrollton. Numerous towns along the course offer opportunities to resupply and recharge during the race. The Kentucky River is incredibly scenic and also incredibly isolated in some stretches. The beauty and scenery rivals that of any river in North America, but if you’re trying to win this race you won’t have time to enjoy it.
Participants are allowed exactly 100 hours to complete the course. There are fourteen locks along the route that will be used as checkpoints where paddlers are required to check in and check out. Cutoff times will be associated with these checkpoints based on the 100 hour pace. Failure to achieve these checkpoint deadlines will result in disqualification.
The KR255 course is all on Class I water with a current of about .5 mph and no rapids. But don’t let those stats deceive you, paddlers will be required to portage the locks and dams and will likely encounter some in-river obstacles including river brush, buoys, and bridge pillars. Finishing this course in 100 hours will take everyone you’ve got!
Each team will be required to assemble a support team to serve as their point of contact on land. There will be a pre-race meeting for all racers and support team members prior to the race. This meeting will be Monday night, June 20th in Beattyville at the Happy Top Community Center located on Happy Top Road. This meeting will include all aspects of the race including the rules for on river and on land behavior, rules for support teams, risk management specifics and other items of importance.
For more information about the course and race requirements visit the website. www.KR255.com !