Sinnemahone Paddle Draws 79 Competitors

Youngest finisher, Ruth Anne Kane 

Umbenhauer winner Joe White &  Ed  Leszek

Sinnemahone Paddle Draws 79 Competitors

Mother nature cooperated bringing water to the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek. Last year the race was cancelled due to high water. All racers registered in 2024 were deferred to this years event which took place April 12. Emergency responders reporting everyone who started finished. A few reported rolling kayaks or canoes but finishing within 2 and a half hours.

The top finisher in the race was Russel Haines in the Canoe Racing division. Haines from Corsica finished the 12 mile race in 1:35:35. The top female competitor was Edna Spang from Gibsonia who finished the kayak long race 1:40:12. For the first time in recent years there were 2 competitors in the junior divisions. The youngest, 12 year old Ruth Anne Kane from Cameron County finished the race in 2:17:20. 15 year old Alan McCracken from Clearfield cleared the race in 1:40:41. McCracken has qualified for the US Nationals this summer.

The division named for one of the founders of the event, Bob Umbenhauer features a traveling trophy. This year the winning team traveled from Ohio. Ed Leszek and Joe White finished the course in 1:41:27.

Several teams with connections to Cameron County took home first place paddling awards include a 4 person woman canoe with Toni Flament. Cameron Horning and Dylan Morton in the Clydesdale Class, Benjamin Patt and Alan Lichtenwalner in the Recreational canoe class and Constance Boyce in the women kayak medium class..

Second place finishers for Emporium competitors include Adam Goldsmith in men kayak short, and Abigail Kane in women kayak short. The father son duo of Saul and Eastyn Solveson took home second in the Recreational canoe class. 

 Dustin Burgoon and Steve VanEerden each placed third in their respective kayak classes. A mother daughter duo of Juneann Major and Lily Major took third place in the tandem kayak event. 

Safety crews from the region coordinated by Mountaineer Search and Rescue line the course. “This event cannot happen without the support of the swift water teams, fire police, and ambulance crews,” thanked Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Solak. Solak continued thanking the community including sponsors and volunteers that organize bibs, and stream clean up before the race. The day of the event, Emporium Rotarians serve free hot drinks, committee members handle timing, awards and social media postings.

Beyond the Dirt is the next adventure race scheduled for August followed by the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run in October. Information on both can be obtained by contacting the chamber office