2003 Challenge
Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
New Guinness Record Set on May 23, 2003 - Fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Guinness Record Update 2021 - Fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River by Tandem Canoe/Kayak 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Date: May 10 - 28, 2003 Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid Team: Team Hope
Event: The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Guinness Record Update 2021 - Fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River by Tandem Canoe/Kayak 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Date: May 10 - 28, 2003 Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid Team: Team Hope
Event: The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
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
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.
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 Certificate; Granted right after this event, 2004. Photo by Clark Eid
Please note - We raced against the clock during our 2003 event to beat the previous Guinness World Records for fastest time down the Mississippi River set in 1989 (23 days, 9 hours, and 51 minutes, paddlers Bill Perdzock and Mike Schnitska), besting the prior 1984 record (23 days, 10 hours, 20 minutes, paddlers Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons).
We often refer to our current progress vs. the 1984 Guinness Record since we had more data on that record, and records were only 30 minutes apart. |
Race Links: Team Hope Paddler River Log Complete, no pictures Daily Updates with Pictures/Log Chronology, Stats and Obstacles Mississippi River (includes maps, charts, river race history) Rett Syndrome Leukodystrophy Sponsors and Volunteers Beyond the Finish (contact us) For more information, please see Mississippi River Racing by Clark Eid, Updated April 2021 |
Since our original 2003 record for fastest time down the Mississippi River was set, many other teams have tried to beat our time, but no team had done so for 18-years. The fastest time for any size team going down the Mississippi River was set on May 10, 2021, 17 days. 19 hours, 46 minutes, by paddlers KJ Millhone, Casey Millhone, Rod Price, and Bobby Johnson.
Clark Eid and Bob Bradford continue to retain the current Guinness World Record for the Fastest Time to Travel the Mississippi River by Tandem Canoe/Kayak, with a new certificate granted in 2021. |
Special thanks to Commander Jerry Torok and D.F. Ryan, Captain, US Coast Guard, Chief Marine Safety Division for his assistance