Paddlers near the finish line of the 90-Miler boat race in Saranac Lake in 2023. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

SARANAC LAKE — While Labor Day will draw the busy summer season to a close, the Tri-Lakes region has one more surge in activity on the books: The 90-Miler. The race attracts more than 600 paddlers from Old Forge to Saranac Lake in early September every year.

Formally known as the Adirondack Canoe Classic, the race returns Sept. 6 to 8. Similar to the Tour de France bicycling race, the 90-Miler has multiple stages, with each day having different start and finish lines.

Day one takes paddlers from Old Forge to Blue Mountain Lake. Day two begins in Long Lake and ends at the “Crusher,” a state boat launch on the Raquette River about 3 miles east of Tupper Lake. Day three begins at Fish Creek Ponds State Campground and ends at Riverfront Park in Saranac Lake.

Paddlers’ times are added together from each day to determine the final finishing order.

The race is open to canoes, kayaks, guideboats and stand-up paddleboards. The race was first organized by Sue Dyer in 1982. It was then run by Brian and Grace McDonnell, starting in 1999, before ownership and operation were transferred to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in 2021.

NFCT Executive Director Karrie Thomas had nothing but praise for the McDonnells.

“To this day, they have been incredible in sharing everything they know and still answer the phone anytime I call with questions about the best way to go about things, she said.

The race’s popularity has ballooned in recent years, with 2024 seeing the largest number of applicants for the race since the NFCT took over, according to Thomas.

“We had 322 boats apply by the time registration closes on July 31,” she said.

The event is limited to 250 boats by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure adequate safety on the water and control congestion surrounding the event. While the DEC allows organizers some wiggle room over the cap to maintain a full field in the event of drop-outs between the registration deadline and the race, Thomas said they still have a lengthy waiting list.

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Business effect

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The proximate locations of Long Lake and Tupper Lake along the race course make them popular destinations for paddlers to lodge overnight. With the large number of racers and their pit crews, rooms fill up fast.

“We get (fully) booked within days of confirmed registration for the racers,” said Jay Chojnowski, owner of the Red Top Inn in Tupper Lake.

His advice for first-time paddlers? Book as early as possible. For people who may have just been admitted to the race off of the waiting list, he still recommended calling motels and hotels along the course, as people dropping out can provide occasional openings.

Thomas says while the race is just one weekend, it provides an opportunity for many to discover the Adirondacks for the first time.

“People come for the race, and then come back with their family to enjoy a more leisurely stay at another time of year,” she said.

In reflecting on his decades organizing the race, Brian McDonnell was proud of its impact on the local economy.

“It was always a huge impact. The Adirondack Hotel (in Long Lake) looked forward to us coming there every year. A number of hotels and restaurants in Old Forge, all of our friends in Saranac Lake, all of the boat liveries and rental businesses in the area looked forward to the 90, it was huge,” he said. “They got a lot out of it in terms of helping their businesses and projects but were also just great partners to work with. We couldn’t have put on the race without all of the support.”

Steven Cerri, the co-owner of St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake, echoed this sentiment.

“We have people calling in May for boat rentals for the 90. I mean, they pretty much plan their entire paddling season around it,” he said. “This race is not only really good about bringing paddlers to the area but also making them aware of all the other paddling opportunities for when they come back.”

Cerri said the race was also a good opportunity for them to help out.

“We usually volunteer a van, trailer and some time. … It’s a good way for us to just give back a bit and do what we can to help the NFCT because they’re such a great organization,” he said.

Anne Fleck, of Raquette River Outfitters in Tupper Lake, has had customers rent boats for the 90-Miler over the years, and she has some advice for racers.

“Have fun, enjoy it, and don’t forget to look at the scenery on your way through,” she said.

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Words of wisdom

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In addition to helping her husband Brian organize the race in the months leading up to it, Grace was able to participate in the event herself. This will be her 30th year racing, and she has some advice for those newer to the event.

“Bring your coat and your tank top,” she said. “You need to have gear appropriate for anything from 40 to 90 degrees.”

Grace also emphasized the indispensable nature of pit crews for the 90-Miler.

“You can’t do this without a pit crew. At a minimum, you need someone to move your vehicle from the start to the finish each of the three days,” she said. Grace noted that pit crew members usually take on a far larger role than just transportation.

“They are keeping an eye on you, not just cheering you on. They are resupplying you with food and water at various access points on the course. They are making sure you’re good to go at the beginning of the day and are healthy enough at the end of the day to continue,” she said.

When asked what memories she cherishes from the race, family came to the top of mind.

“I’ve been able to race with three of our four children over the years. Those (races) were just wonderful,” she said.

Most paddlers are seasoned veterans, with almost 20% of boats filled with first-time racers.

“There are 41 boats made up of paddlers who have never participated before and quite a few first-timers in boats with race veterans,” according to Thomas.

Paddlers this year range from 10 to 81 years in age.

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Safety first

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With a wide array of experience among participants, Thomas made clear that safety is the organizers’ top priority.

“The biggest part of the safety apparatus is the 77 safety boats lining every mile of the course,” she said. “These people are on the water to respond to paddlers in distress. We couldn’t run the race without them.”

Racers also play a key safety role on the water.

“There are times when conditions result in capsized boats, and paddlers know that their priority is to help each other more than it is to have the best time. It’s a really incredible community,” she said.

Thomas said the race relies on the Adirondack Amateur Radio Association to provide real-time communications between stations. Radio operators are able to overcome the large gaps in cell service along the course.

Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks personnel are stationed at each day’s finish line to render first aid if there are any on-the-water injuries. Local police, EMS and volunteer fire departments along the route are advised of the race and respond as needed. The New York State Police and DEC also assist in the event, handling a variety of duties, such as crowd control and road crossings.

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Giving back

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As one of the NFCT’s biggest revenue sources throughout the year, Thomas said the 90-Miler registration fees go directly back to funding their mission. Locally, they’ve spent much of this year improving the boat carry around the Lower Locks between Lower Saranac Lake and Lake Oseetah. Funds also provide paddling scholarships.

“A small but mighty part of our work is to provide scholarship dollars to support kids participation in paddling trips: Matt Burnett Guiding ran three trips and a four-day youth paddling symposium with support from Paul Smith’s College that we helped fund this year,” she said.

Thomas was thankful for the support offered by the communities along the course.

“Every community participates and helps in some way, and many local businesses support the race as well,” she said. “It’s truly a team effort from Old Forge to Saranac Lake.”

The 90-Miler is set for Sept. 6 to 8. While registration closed in July, those interested in being a race-day volunteer can email adirondack90miler@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

For more information about the race, visit www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/adirondack90miler.