2003 Challenge
Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Guinness Record Setting Event for 2 different rare diseases!
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The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome And Leukodystrophy was an ultra-endurance race of the ENTIRE Mississippi River (2,348 miles) without any timeouts or breaks, all done to benefit those suffering from two life threatening diseases - Rett Syndrome and all forms of Leukodystrophy.
On May 10, 2003, Clark Eid (Cheshire, CT) and Bob Bradford (Lapeer, MI) began their race against the clock to paddle the mighty Mississippi River in World Record Time in a specially designed Kruger racing canoe. They launched their boat and their epic adventure in the still waters of a northern Minnesotan lake and emerged ten states later on Wednesday, May 28, at 10:51 AM, shattering the previous records for fastest time for a 2 person team set in 1984 and 1989 by over 5 days, creating a new Guinness World Record for 2 different rare diseases - Rett syndrome and all Leukodystrophies In the days and nights covering 2,348 miles, the two endurance paddlers raced against time, fatigue, foul weather, and other hazards as they struggled to reach their goal. They were motivated by a love of paddling and the spirit of competition. But behind that, it was a deeply personal undertaking for both men. Clark's daughter has Rett syndrome, a genetic, non inherited disease caused by an mecp2 mutation that randomly affects 1 in 10,000 girls. Boys who have Rett Syndrome rarely survive birth and statistics/information for them are not as well known. Bob's family has been affected by Adrenoleukodystrophy (one of many forms of Leukodystrophy). Clark and Bob took on this unique challenge to raise awareness and research funds to combat these two life threatening diseases. |
Guinness Record!
Fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River by a 2 person team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
Fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River by a 2 person team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
After the finish: L to R Clark Eid Bob Bradord, Bob's grandson Justin sits in the canoe; Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Bill Pullen
Guinness Certificate; Photo by Clark Eid
Mississippi River Racing by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Marathon Paddling Race History World Wide, by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021
Special thanks to Commander Jerry Torok and D.F. Ryan, Captain, US Coast Guard, Chief Marine Safety Division for his assistance!