The Go Ottawa Challenge

Saturday morning 38 racers gathered at Arrowhead Park to embark on the first ever Go Ottawa Challenge. The participants started with a 3/4 mile run on the trail at Arrowhead. While a little muddy from the recent rain, many said this was their favorite part of the race. With the scenic views, turns, and few bunny hills - it makes for a nice little trail run. From there, racers biked along 2nd Street to the Ottawa Reservoir, approximately 2 miles. The last section of the race was 4 laps around the Reservoir, followed by a short sprint to the finish line. (Originally, the race involved kayaking along the Blanchard River, but with water levels so low - we used this alternative route for the race.) The laps were almost universally declared the most difficult part of the race, but that didn’t stop our racers. From 8 to 71 years old, *everyone was able to complete the Challenge! Way to go racers! Can’t wait for next year! Times are listed below.

Heat 1

1. J. Burgei 1:01:30

2. A. Recker 1:01:30

3. C. Taschler 1:04:45

4. K. Cassidy 1:06:17

5. D. Fries 42:25 _Fastest Men’s Time

6. B. Cassidy 1:04:53

7. K. Verhoff 44:50

8. S. Wischmeyer 55:47

9. B. Weis 49:13

10. A. Cassidy 1:05:51 _Fastest 14 & Under Time

Heat 2

13. A. Beining 1:09:19

14. H. Beining 1:11:39

15. E. Kuhlman 1:12:03

16. Av. Kuhlman 1:11:46

17. Am. Kuhlman 1:12:17

18. T. Schnipke 1:13:57

19. Z. Schnipke 1:12:04

20. V. Schniple 1:13:57

34. D. Martel 1:12:01

35. E. Braun 1:11:08

Heat 3

21. D. Dukes 1:13:33

22. L. Michael 1:13:33

23. S. Campbell 1:13:41

24. A. Berger 1:10:47

25. L. Apple 1:10:37

26. G. Michel 1:10:53

27. J. Recker 1:15:35

28. S. Recker 1:15:35

29. R. Buerger 1:22:02

Heat 4

31. M. Schimmoeller 59:12:31

32. J. Gilgenbach 1:11:29

33. J. Laudick 1:06:54

36. A. Croy 1:12:13

37. L. Croy 1:09:54

39. K. Siefker 1:00:08 _Fastest Women’s Time

40. D. Warnimont 1:00:02

Some photos from the day are below. Next year, we will have a race photographer to make sure we get more finish line crossings captured!

Racers line up kayaks before start of Go Ottawa Challenge

Kayakers on Ottawa Reservoir

A few racers after the finish line

Thanks Key Club volunteers for helping us out!

Thanks to all the volunteers that made the race possible!

Kayakers on the reservoir

Supporters cheer on the kayakers

Supporters cheer on the kayakers

Thank you to the emergency personnel that was on standby for us all morning!

Thanks to all the volunteers on race day!

Race day participants before the race

The end of the bike route at the Ottawa Reservoir

The end of the trail run at Arrowhead Park

The end of the bike route at the Ottawa Reservoir

The end of the bike route at the Ottawa Reservoir

The end of the bike route at the Ottawa Reservoir

Portion of the Arrowhead Trail Run

Earlier heats cheer on the kayakers

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Thank you to those that helped our kayakers get in and out safely!

Final sprint to the finish line

Final sprint to the finish line

Final sprint to the finish line

Biking along 2nd Street

The finish line crew

Challenge completed

Racers take off on their bikes from Arrowhead Park

Racers run to their bikes after the trail run

Arrowhead Park Trail Run

Racers sprint to the finish

Crossing the finish line

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Kayakers on the Reservoir

Sprinting to the finish line

Sprinting to the finish line

Our volunteers helping participants safely exit their kayaks

One of our volunteers with participant to complete the course the fastest

Our volunteers helping participants safely exit their kayaks

Racers get ready to start the Go Ottawa Challenge

Racers get ready to start the Go Ottawa Challenge

The racers are off!

Racers get ready to start the Go Ottawa Challenge

Racers get ready to start the Go Ottawa Challenge

Arrowhead Park Trail Run

Arrowhead Park Trail Run

Arrowhead Park Trail Run

Runners switching to their bikes

The start of the biking section

Crossing the finish line

Challenge completed

* Two racers had bike issues before arrival so only participated in first section of race. Two racers accidentally did 3 laps instead of 4.