2001 Race
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
Teams Survive World's Longest, Toughest Race and Secure a World Record for Rett Syndrome!
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001 was the longest non-stop canoe/kayak marathon race in history and was organized to honor all of those families who face the marathon struggles that come with having a child with Rett Syndrome. Clark Eid and Mary Potter created this one time world's longest non stop canoe/kayak race to raise awareness and research money for Rett syndrome, a rare and devastating neurological disease that has afflicted their daughter, Amanda, after their family visited the headwaters in 1999 during a family vacation. Their primary focus was to create a one time World Record setting event for Rett Syndrome Awareness and Research that paired a relatively obscure rare disease with a well know large American Icon, the Mississippi River.
During the next 2 years, teams called from around the world to join the race - and by the race start, 5 mighty teams and countless individuals and families from across the world worked together and raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best hope for our children's future.
On May 5, 2001, at 6 AM, five dauntless, courageous teams of determined paddlers gathered at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota and began the world's longest non-stop canoe/kayak marathon race to raise awareness of, and set world records for, Rett Syndrome.
Each team used only the human muscle powered propulsion of paddling their 2-person canoe/kayak to travel 2,348 miles down the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Physical and mental endurance were taken to the extreme while attempting to paddle in this nonstop race to the Gulf of Mexico. The race ended at Mile 0 South of Venice, Louisiana or until the end of the day, May 31, 2001. In true "Survivor" form, two teams of undaunted paddlers finished the longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in history when they arrived at where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico, ending an epic journey of 2,348 miles that encountered everything from exhaustion to some of the worst flooding on record.
Most importantly, participating teams and families from across the world raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best hope for our children's future.
During the next 2 years, teams called from around the world to join the race - and by the race start, 5 mighty teams and countless individuals and families from across the world worked together and raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best hope for our children's future.
On May 5, 2001, at 6 AM, five dauntless, courageous teams of determined paddlers gathered at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota and began the world's longest non-stop canoe/kayak marathon race to raise awareness of, and set world records for, Rett Syndrome.
Each team used only the human muscle powered propulsion of paddling their 2-person canoe/kayak to travel 2,348 miles down the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Physical and mental endurance were taken to the extreme while attempting to paddle in this nonstop race to the Gulf of Mexico. The race ended at Mile 0 South of Venice, Louisiana or until the end of the day, May 31, 2001. In true "Survivor" form, two teams of undaunted paddlers finished the longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in history when they arrived at where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico, ending an epic journey of 2,348 miles that encountered everything from exhaustion to some of the worst flooding on record.
Most importantly, participating teams and families from across the world raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best hope for our children's future.

Race Results
FIRST PLACE - Team Kruger, led by the renowned paddlers Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford, placed first in their specialized Kruger canoe at 24 days, 17 hours, 51 minutes. This was Verlen's 3rd trip down the Mississippi River. Verlen had set a Guinness World record for best time paddling the Mississippi River with Valerie Fons in 1984.
Type of Team: 2 paddlers, Bob Bradford always paddled the front position, Verlen Kruger in the back
Official Team Members: Paddler Verlen Kruger, Paddler Bob Bradford, Road Crew Captain Stan Hanson, Dana Hanson, Chuck Hasenkamp, William Mick Wood, Jon Young
Additional Support: Jenny Kruger, Kruger family members, Janet Bradford, Bradford family members.
Race Craft: Verlen Kruger built this magnificent, winning canoe for this race. Please see Kruger Canoes for more information.
Team Kruger Log supplied by Bob Bradford.
FIRST PLACE - Team Kruger, led by the renowned paddlers Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford, placed first in their specialized Kruger canoe at 24 days, 17 hours, 51 minutes. This was Verlen's 3rd trip down the Mississippi River. Verlen had set a Guinness World record for best time paddling the Mississippi River with Valerie Fons in 1984.
Type of Team: 2 paddlers, Bob Bradford always paddled the front position, Verlen Kruger in the back
Official Team Members: Paddler Verlen Kruger, Paddler Bob Bradford, Road Crew Captain Stan Hanson, Dana Hanson, Chuck Hasenkamp, William Mick Wood, Jon Young
Additional Support: Jenny Kruger, Kruger family members, Janet Bradford, Bradford family members.
Race Craft: Verlen Kruger built this magnificent, winning canoe for this race. Please see Kruger Canoes for more information.
Team Kruger Log supplied by Bob Bradford.

SECOND PLACE - Team Double Helix, paddlers Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann, placed second at 26 days, 6 hours, 40 minutes.
Type of Team: 2 paddlers, Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann, rotated positions
Official Team Members: Paddler Clark Eid, Paddler Kurt Zimmermann, Road Crew Captains Kent Spading and Tony Swenson, Jeff Romine, Andrew Gribble, William Schmitz, Eric Marshall, Johann Fembek, Edith Paule, Bill Evans
Additional Support: Stephen Bertenshaw, R. Martin German, Christine Hendricks, Mary Potter, Jan White
Race Craft: Featuring the event's unique hand built cedar stripped flagship kayak called the Double Helix, Special significance of the Double Helix includes a representation of Double Helix DNA in a wood rose vine that can be decoded to spell "AMANDA'S DREAMKEEPER". Clark's daughter, Amanda, has Rett Syndrome. The Double Helix was built in honor of Amanda Eid and all of those who have Rett Syndrome, to serve as a the flagship for the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001. The Double Helix was publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 2006 to 2017. It was later moved to the Tunica River Park and Museum, in Tunica MS - so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome in the general public.
Type of Team: 2 paddlers, Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann, rotated positions
Official Team Members: Paddler Clark Eid, Paddler Kurt Zimmermann, Road Crew Captains Kent Spading and Tony Swenson, Jeff Romine, Andrew Gribble, William Schmitz, Eric Marshall, Johann Fembek, Edith Paule, Bill Evans
Additional Support: Stephen Bertenshaw, R. Martin German, Christine Hendricks, Mary Potter, Jan White
Race Craft: Featuring the event's unique hand built cedar stripped flagship kayak called the Double Helix, Special significance of the Double Helix includes a representation of Double Helix DNA in a wood rose vine that can be decoded to spell "AMANDA'S DREAMKEEPER". Clark's daughter, Amanda, has Rett Syndrome. The Double Helix was built in honor of Amanda Eid and all of those who have Rett Syndrome, to serve as a the flagship for the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001. The Double Helix was publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 2006 to 2017. It was later moved to the Tunica River Park and Museum, in Tunica MS - so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome in the general public.

THIRD PLACE - Team Alaska, showing true perseverance and dedication, replaced a kayak after it was lost in a harrowing rapids in Minnesota and stayed in the race! Team Alaska remained on the river until May 31 and pulled out at mile marker 707. Alaska also conducted a scientific survey on plant and animal life as they traveled during the race! Several members of the Alaskan team completed a trip down the Mississippi river in 1999 as well.
Type of Team: Relay, multiple paddlers rotated all positions
Official Team Members: Paddler Tony DeGange, Paddler David Hoffman, Paddler Will Miles, Relief Paddler\ Kerm Ketchum, Relief Paddler Bud Bourn, Eric Kocher and Al Levine from Team Rebels with a Cause joined as relief paddlers during the 2nd week of the race.
Additional Support: Many friends along the way.
Race Craft: Team Alaska supplied both kayaks used during the race. The first one was eventually found by local police, and returned to Team Alaska when they headed home and stopped in Minnesota to pick it up.
Type of Team: Relay, multiple paddlers rotated all positions
Official Team Members: Paddler Tony DeGange, Paddler David Hoffman, Paddler Will Miles, Relief Paddler\ Kerm Ketchum, Relief Paddler Bud Bourn, Eric Kocher and Al Levine from Team Rebels with a Cause joined as relief paddlers during the 2nd week of the race.
Additional Support: Many friends along the way.
Race Craft: Team Alaska supplied both kayaks used during the race. The first one was eventually found by local police, and returned to Team Alaska when they headed home and stopped in Minnesota to pick it up.

Team Rebels with a Cause made a gallant effort but had to withdraw from the race after the first week May 13, 2001. Days before the race began, the 4th member of the team dropped out, leaving only 3 members, one vehicle, and the race kayak and gear. Towards the end of the first week, one member left the race, and the team disbanded. The remaining team members Al Levine and Eric Kocher then joined Team Alaska and continued with them for the duration of the race.
Type of Team: Relay, 3 paddlers rotated positions
Official Team Members: Paddler Carl Johnson, Paddler Al Levine, Paddler Eric Kocher, a fourth team member dropped days before the race and sadly passed during the race.
Race Craft: Team Rebel's kayak was donated by Dagger and later sold by Carl Johnson to raise additional funds for Rett syndrome research!

Teams Amazons of the Mississippi made a heroic effort but had to withdraw May 12, 2001 due to a paddler's medical emergency. This was the only female team to enter (and an International team at that!).
Type of Team: 2 paddlers
Official Team Members: Paddler Cynthia Belbin, Paddler Megan Duffy, Road Crew Tony Mate, Road Crew Shelia Duffy, Road Crew Sean Duffy, Eric
Additional Support: Friends along the way
Race Craft: Team Amazon's kayak was donated by Nelo.
Type of Team: 2 paddlers
Official Team Members: Paddler Cynthia Belbin, Paddler Megan Duffy, Road Crew Tony Mate, Road Crew Shelia Duffy, Road Crew Sean Duffy, Eric
Additional Support: Friends along the way
Race Craft: Team Amazon's kayak was donated by Nelo.
Records Set During this Ultra Marathon Race
- “The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001" set an unofficial World record for the longest non-stop Canoe/ Kayak Race. An application will be made to Guinness World Records for recognition as the "longest continuous canoe and kayak race" in the near future. No other continuous canoe and kayak race comes close!
- Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford of Team Kruger won 1st place at 24 Days, 17 hours and 51 minutes in their Kruger Canoe.
- Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann of Team Double Helix won 2nd place and set a world record for fastest time paddling the entire Mississsippi river in a kayak - 26 Days, 6 Hours and 40 Minutes. All prior record holders used a canoe.
- Verlen Kruger set a new record for person to completely paddle the entire Mississippi River 3 times - twice down, once up.
- Verlen Kruger, then at age 78, set a record for the oldest person to paddle the entire Mississippi River at that time (since broken by Dale Sanders, at age 80)
All teams Daily Safety Calls and All Logs Summary:
Team Kruger Daily Log
Written by Bob Bradford, paddler, remarks from Stan Hanson, team Kruger.
Planning & Coordination
The idea for the The 2001 Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome came to Clark Eid (Team Double Helix, and Chairman and Founder) after a family vacation to the Mississippi River headwaters during a vacation in 1999. Clark Eid and Mary Potter (Event Coordinator, Webmaster) first spoke about the race at their kitchen table shortly after that vacation and both agreed to create an event in honor of their daughter, Amanda Eid, that would stand for all time. Initially they intended to set a speed record on the Mississippi River for a Guinness Record for Rett Syndrome after reading about the Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons record.... but... after Clark called and spoke with Verlen Kruger regarding Verlen's Mississippi River records, Verlen Kruger said "Count me in!" and the concept turned into the World's Longest Non-Stop River Race for Rett Syndrome. After much media build at the time, Team Alaska, Team Rebels and Team Amazons joined in as well.
The Safety Officer, Race Consultant, Medical Officer, Judges, and Time Keeper were selected and listed publicly prior to he race. These positions were required by the USCA and ACA as part of that sanctioning, and were also essential for any team seeking recognition by Guinness World Records for their run. Rules, Safety Program and Officers could not be changed once the race started without affecting sanctioning and could not occur without all parties in full agreement.
Rules, Safety Program, Sanctioning, Waivers, Medical Clearance, Insurance
The race was officially sanctioned by the United States Canoe Association and American Canoe Association. As such, Rules (drafted by the USCA's Executive Director Jim Mack, the ACA's Director of Programs and Special Events Jim Seymour, and canoeing legend Steve Landick) and an USCA/ACA approved Safety Program (written by Elizabeth Tynan) were in place during this event and followed by all team members at all times. Safety, above all remained our first priority at all times. The authors of the Rules and Safety Program considered Guinness World Record guidance in their editing, knowing that some teams may attempt a new time record. All Team members signed an "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver was required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event. Official team members signed waivers, agreed to appear in this event free of charge, and provided a medical clearance form. There were teams and team members who could not get a medical clearance and who were not allowed to join the race.
All team members agreed to follow the Rules and the Safety Program. Our sanctioning and Insurance policy was based on the this organization/protocols. All information, rules, safety program, officers, waiver, and more were set prior to the race and online and available to everyone participating. Each team paid a small insurance fee for each official team member as part of our agreement to keep sanctioning. Any overage was donated to the Rett Syndrome Charities. Official team members may vary from actual people who helped a team. We have no way of tracking who helped who on the road crew/teams... we primarily listed official team members who paid the insurance fee, but we may list other road crew for a team if we became aware of them as the race progressed.
Team Donations to Rett Syndrome Charities/Research
Teams paid or donated $2500 per team to participate in this event, and that full amount was donated to the Rett Syndrome Research Association at that time.
Guinness World Record Attempt for Fastest Time on the Mississippi River by 2 Teams
During the race, Team Kruger and Team Double Helix elected to attempt to set a new Guinness World record for the fastest time to paddle the Mississippi River. The event's rules were in accordance with, and exceeded, guidance from Guinness World Records. This attempt was not part of our official race, but teams were welcome to do whatever they wanted on their own time. Team Double Helix and Team Kruger were responsible for having witness signature forms and complete anything Guinness Records required. That work was done outside of our official race.
There were significant weather-related obstructions encountered during the race that challenged the Guinness Record attempt. It was only because these teams were part of an USCA and ACA sanctioned event that made it possible for the teams to get through Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dams quickly as they did, and paddle on closed parts of the river. These special permissions were negotiated by our Safety Officer with the Coast Guard. Special thanks to Elizabeth Tynan (negotiated closed river issue) and to Kent Spading (assisted with Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam opening) for helping our teams get back on river as quickly and as safely possible.
Mississippi River Racing by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Marathon Paddling Race History World Wide, by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors! We couldn't have done it without you. If we missed anyone, let us know... so many more people helped along that way and we never got their names... we thank them all....
About this Charity Event....
Our Next Adventure? A Guinness World Record Challenge in 2003 for Fastest Time on the Mississippi River!
After the 2001 Race, Team Kruger and Team Double Helix formed a new team, "Team Hope", and set a new Guinness World Record for fastest time down the Mississippi River during the 2003 Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy!
Written by Bob Bradford, paddler, remarks from Stan Hanson, team Kruger.
Planning & Coordination
The idea for the The 2001 Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome came to Clark Eid (Team Double Helix, and Chairman and Founder) after a family vacation to the Mississippi River headwaters during a vacation in 1999. Clark Eid and Mary Potter (Event Coordinator, Webmaster) first spoke about the race at their kitchen table shortly after that vacation and both agreed to create an event in honor of their daughter, Amanda Eid, that would stand for all time. Initially they intended to set a speed record on the Mississippi River for a Guinness Record for Rett Syndrome after reading about the Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons record.... but... after Clark called and spoke with Verlen Kruger regarding Verlen's Mississippi River records, Verlen Kruger said "Count me in!" and the concept turned into the World's Longest Non-Stop River Race for Rett Syndrome. After much media build at the time, Team Alaska, Team Rebels and Team Amazons joined in as well.
The Safety Officer, Race Consultant, Medical Officer, Judges, and Time Keeper were selected and listed publicly prior to he race. These positions were required by the USCA and ACA as part of that sanctioning, and were also essential for any team seeking recognition by Guinness World Records for their run. Rules, Safety Program and Officers could not be changed once the race started without affecting sanctioning and could not occur without all parties in full agreement.
Rules, Safety Program, Sanctioning, Waivers, Medical Clearance, Insurance
The race was officially sanctioned by the United States Canoe Association and American Canoe Association. As such, Rules (drafted by the USCA's Executive Director Jim Mack, the ACA's Director of Programs and Special Events Jim Seymour, and canoeing legend Steve Landick) and an USCA/ACA approved Safety Program (written by Elizabeth Tynan) were in place during this event and followed by all team members at all times. Safety, above all remained our first priority at all times. The authors of the Rules and Safety Program considered Guinness World Record guidance in their editing, knowing that some teams may attempt a new time record. All Team members signed an "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver was required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event. Official team members signed waivers, agreed to appear in this event free of charge, and provided a medical clearance form. There were teams and team members who could not get a medical clearance and who were not allowed to join the race.
All team members agreed to follow the Rules and the Safety Program. Our sanctioning and Insurance policy was based on the this organization/protocols. All information, rules, safety program, officers, waiver, and more were set prior to the race and online and available to everyone participating. Each team paid a small insurance fee for each official team member as part of our agreement to keep sanctioning. Any overage was donated to the Rett Syndrome Charities. Official team members may vary from actual people who helped a team. We have no way of tracking who helped who on the road crew/teams... we primarily listed official team members who paid the insurance fee, but we may list other road crew for a team if we became aware of them as the race progressed.
Team Donations to Rett Syndrome Charities/Research
Teams paid or donated $2500 per team to participate in this event, and that full amount was donated to the Rett Syndrome Research Association at that time.
Guinness World Record Attempt for Fastest Time on the Mississippi River by 2 Teams
During the race, Team Kruger and Team Double Helix elected to attempt to set a new Guinness World record for the fastest time to paddle the Mississippi River. The event's rules were in accordance with, and exceeded, guidance from Guinness World Records. This attempt was not part of our official race, but teams were welcome to do whatever they wanted on their own time. Team Double Helix and Team Kruger were responsible for having witness signature forms and complete anything Guinness Records required. That work was done outside of our official race.
There were significant weather-related obstructions encountered during the race that challenged the Guinness Record attempt. It was only because these teams were part of an USCA and ACA sanctioned event that made it possible for the teams to get through Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dams quickly as they did, and paddle on closed parts of the river. These special permissions were negotiated by our Safety Officer with the Coast Guard. Special thanks to Elizabeth Tynan (negotiated closed river issue) and to Kent Spading (assisted with Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam opening) for helping our teams get back on river as quickly and as safely possible.
Mississippi River Racing by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Marathon Paddling Race History World Wide, by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors! We couldn't have done it without you. If we missed anyone, let us know... so many more people helped along that way and we never got their names... we thank them all....
About this Charity Event....
Our Next Adventure? A Guinness World Record Challenge in 2003 for Fastest Time on the Mississippi River!
After the 2001 Race, Team Kruger and Team Double Helix formed a new team, "Team Hope", and set a new Guinness World Record for fastest time down the Mississippi River during the 2003 Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy!