2003 Challenge - Daily Updates & Pictures
Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Guinness Record Setting Event for 2 different rare diseases!
Right before the start, L to R Bob Bradford, Verlen Kruger, Clark Eid, in front of their Kruger Canoe; Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome, May 2003; Camera Used Angie Phelps
Saturday, May 10, 2003
Race start, 6 AM sharp at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca Lake Park, Minnesota, weather a little rainy, paddlers made good time today.... Many Rett families gathered at the headwaters to wish Team Hope well. Later, Bob and Tammy Hanson (rett parents) and Chuck and Lisa Evert (rett parents) had bananas and coffee hanging off the foot bridge at Coffee Pat Damn for that paddlers to grab as they went under it (and they did)! Dave Harrington meets the paddlers. Bill Pullen replaces Bob's cracked compass. Paddlers report it got dark during the Cross Lake crossing.
Chronology: By the end of the day Bob and Clark have passed Coffee Pot landing, Iron Bridge, Bemidji Park, Ottertail Power Dam, Cross Lake and have arrived at Knutsen dam by 11:15 PM
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Road crew has hot stew waiting for the paddlers at 2 AM at Reese Landing and paddlers change into the kokatat dry suits. Extremely rough overnight crossing of Lake Winny... the paddlers lost lights, waves crested over the bow, covered Bob and was hitting Clark in the chest. Paddlers make it to Winny Dam by 9:30 AM. Bob is the first paddler to sleep 27 1/2 hours after the start while Clark paddles. After the Leech Lake access stop Clark sleeps 34 hours after starting while Bob paddles. Jean Pullen writes that paddlers are at least 20 miles ahead of 1984 record... later Angie says they are behind Bob's "planned schedule" at this time (but still ahead of the 1984 record).
Chronology: Bob and Clark completed Lake Winny crossing, passed Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, MN, depart Blandin Paper Company Dam by 11:20 PM.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Paddlers stop at Palisades and enjoy a meal from Tammy Hanson, rett mom and team groupie! Verlen and the road crew check out the Aitken Diversion channel. Bill Pullen ends up in the police station, Kent Spading send in a warning about L&D 27 (to come later).
Chronology: Paddlers passed Hwy 200 bridge near Jacobson, passed Sandy River stop, passed Bergland County Park in Palisades, Passed Hwy 168 bridge.
Race start, 6 AM sharp at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca Lake Park, Minnesota, weather a little rainy, paddlers made good time today.... Many Rett families gathered at the headwaters to wish Team Hope well. Later, Bob and Tammy Hanson (rett parents) and Chuck and Lisa Evert (rett parents) had bananas and coffee hanging off the foot bridge at Coffee Pat Damn for that paddlers to grab as they went under it (and they did)! Dave Harrington meets the paddlers. Bill Pullen replaces Bob's cracked compass. Paddlers report it got dark during the Cross Lake crossing.
Chronology: By the end of the day Bob and Clark have passed Coffee Pot landing, Iron Bridge, Bemidji Park, Ottertail Power Dam, Cross Lake and have arrived at Knutsen dam by 11:15 PM
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Road crew has hot stew waiting for the paddlers at 2 AM at Reese Landing and paddlers change into the kokatat dry suits. Extremely rough overnight crossing of Lake Winny... the paddlers lost lights, waves crested over the bow, covered Bob and was hitting Clark in the chest. Paddlers make it to Winny Dam by 9:30 AM. Bob is the first paddler to sleep 27 1/2 hours after the start while Clark paddles. After the Leech Lake access stop Clark sleeps 34 hours after starting while Bob paddles. Jean Pullen writes that paddlers are at least 20 miles ahead of 1984 record... later Angie says they are behind Bob's "planned schedule" at this time (but still ahead of the 1984 record).
Chronology: Bob and Clark completed Lake Winny crossing, passed Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, MN, depart Blandin Paper Company Dam by 11:20 PM.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Paddlers stop at Palisades and enjoy a meal from Tammy Hanson, rett mom and team groupie! Verlen and the road crew check out the Aitken Diversion channel. Bill Pullen ends up in the police station, Kent Spading send in a warning about L&D 27 (to come later).
Chronology: Paddlers passed Hwy 200 bridge near Jacobson, passed Sandy River stop, passed Bergland County Park in Palisades, Passed Hwy 168 bridge.
Clark Eid, Danita Baker, Bob Bradford, Danita's children, including two of her twin daughters, who have Rett Syndrome; duing the Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome & Leukodystrophies, 2003; Camera Used: Angie Phelp
Bob Bradford, leaving Palisades, MN, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophies, May 2003; Guinness Record Event; Camera used: Angie Phelps
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Dana says the paddlers are over 100 miles ahead of the record by this evening...Verlen Kruger gives some great advice about getting over the Diversion Dam... Stan Hanson, in an emotional moment says it doesn't matter if they break the record or not....
Chronology: Took the Aitken diversion, passed Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, MN, passed Little Falls Dam, passed Blanchard Dam.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
More paddlers join in with Clark and Bob and paddle to the Twin Cities, MN.....The whole team stops at Ken Ketter's Canoes....
Chronology: Today the paddlers passed Champion Dam, Lions Park upstream of Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud Dam, Montissippi State Park, Coon Rapids Dams, and Ketter's Canoe (Mpls).
Thursday, May 15, 2003
The Lake Pepin crossing is very smooth, but little/no current.... weather overall good...
Chronology: Today the paddlers passed St Anthony Falls, L&D1, L&D 2, L&D 3 in Red Wing, MN. The Lake Pepin crossing was completed. Departed from L&D 4, Alma WI by 9:56 PM
Friday, May 16, 2003
Still well ahead of the 1984 Guiness record.
Chronology: Passed through L&D 5, Fountain City, WI, L&D 5A, Winona, MN, L&D 6 Trempealeau WI, L&D 7, La Cross, WI, L&D 8, Genoa, WI, L&D 9 Harper's Ferry IA/Lynxville, WI;
Dana says the paddlers are over 100 miles ahead of the record by this evening...Verlen Kruger gives some great advice about getting over the Diversion Dam... Stan Hanson, in an emotional moment says it doesn't matter if they break the record or not....
Chronology: Took the Aitken diversion, passed Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, MN, passed Little Falls Dam, passed Blanchard Dam.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
More paddlers join in with Clark and Bob and paddle to the Twin Cities, MN.....The whole team stops at Ken Ketter's Canoes....
Chronology: Today the paddlers passed Champion Dam, Lions Park upstream of Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud Dam, Montissippi State Park, Coon Rapids Dams, and Ketter's Canoe (Mpls).
Thursday, May 15, 2003
The Lake Pepin crossing is very smooth, but little/no current.... weather overall good...
Chronology: Today the paddlers passed St Anthony Falls, L&D1, L&D 2, L&D 3 in Red Wing, MN. The Lake Pepin crossing was completed. Departed from L&D 4, Alma WI by 9:56 PM
Friday, May 16, 2003
Still well ahead of the 1984 Guiness record.
Chronology: Passed through L&D 5, Fountain City, WI, L&D 5A, Winona, MN, L&D 6 Trempealeau WI, L&D 7, La Cross, WI, L&D 8, Genoa, WI, L&D 9 Harper's Ferry IA/Lynxville, WI;
Saturday, May 17, 2003
Angie reports a journey back in time ... the paddlers tape a radio show....paddlers are averaging over 100 miles a day ...
Chronology: Paddlers passed L&D 10, Guttenberg, IA, L&D 11, Dubuque, IA, L&D 11, L&D 12 Bellevue, IA
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Clark says they are now over 150 miles ahead of the 1984 record... the team gets more media coverage...Angie Phelps and gang are leaving the road crew but will be back for the end... Don Bradford, Bob's brother, shows up for moral support...
Chronology: Paddlers past L&D 13 (Clinton IA/Fulton, IL), L&D 14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA, L&D 15, L&D 16 (Muscatine, IA), L&D 17 New Boston, IL
Monday, May 19, 2003
Team is at least through L&D 20, maybe 21 by the end of this day... paddlers are requesting ice, it's getting hot...Clark is taking sneaky pictures of Bob for the website "later"... the crew pulls together with the help of tug boat captains and the L & D 20 master and let the paddlers go ahead of a couple of tugs with their barges....
Chronology:
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
190 miles ahead of the 1984 record in the morning.... very windy conditions.... cable/rudder problems... L&D 24 Master sends us some great photos....
Chronology:
Angie reports a journey back in time ... the paddlers tape a radio show....paddlers are averaging over 100 miles a day ...
Chronology: Paddlers passed L&D 10, Guttenberg, IA, L&D 11, Dubuque, IA, L&D 11, L&D 12 Bellevue, IA
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Clark says they are now over 150 miles ahead of the 1984 record... the team gets more media coverage...Angie Phelps and gang are leaving the road crew but will be back for the end... Don Bradford, Bob's brother, shows up for moral support...
Chronology: Paddlers past L&D 13 (Clinton IA/Fulton, IL), L&D 14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA, L&D 15, L&D 16 (Muscatine, IA), L&D 17 New Boston, IL
Monday, May 19, 2003
Team is at least through L&D 20, maybe 21 by the end of this day... paddlers are requesting ice, it's getting hot...Clark is taking sneaky pictures of Bob for the website "later"... the crew pulls together with the help of tug boat captains and the L & D 20 master and let the paddlers go ahead of a couple of tugs with their barges....
Chronology:
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
190 miles ahead of the 1984 record in the morning.... very windy conditions.... cable/rudder problems... L&D 24 Master sends us some great photos....
Chronology:
Comanche, Iowa, L to R Clark Eid Bob Bradord, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Bill Pullen
Muscatine, Iowa, L to R Bill Pullen, Capt Stan Hanson, Janet Bradford, Bob Bradford, Don Bradford, Clark Eid, Andrew Gribble; Clark Eid, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Don Bradford
Wednesday, May 21 , 2003 -
A fish attacks Clark.... Dana Hanson and Jon Young join the road crew... over 200 miles ahead of the 1984 record....
Chronology:
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -
409 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... the Coast Guard is calling and wants updates as the paddlers go through New Orleans.... corn growing in the road...
Chronology:
Friday, May 23, 2003 -
Mike and Denise arrive.....Lots of flooding going on so it's hard to meet the paddlers....Janet attempts to ignite her van by puncturing her gas line....
Chronology:
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -
Bob is clocked paddling 10 mph solo.... Denise is wishing she never asked about alligators.....Bob and Clark are 556 miles ahead of the 1984 record...
Chronology:
A fish attacks Clark.... Dana Hanson and Jon Young join the road crew... over 200 miles ahead of the 1984 record....
Chronology:
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -
409 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... the Coast Guard is calling and wants updates as the paddlers go through New Orleans.... corn growing in the road...
Chronology:
Friday, May 23, 2003 -
Mike and Denise arrive.....Lots of flooding going on so it's hard to meet the paddlers....Janet attempts to ignite her van by puncturing her gas line....
Chronology:
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -
Bob is clocked paddling 10 mph solo.... Denise is wishing she never asked about alligators.....Bob and Clark are 556 miles ahead of the 1984 record...
Chronology:
Near Baton Rouge; Bob Bradord, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Clark Eid
Sunday, May 25, 2003 -
What to do about floating debris....Buffet or a sandwich for lunch?... Things are just a tad bit wet tonight....
Chronology:
Monday, May 26, 2003-
600 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... Baton Rouge or bust.... bets are being taken for final time estimates... the paddlers are too fast to catch ....
Chronology:
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 -
Desiree has joined the road crew ....Paddlers are facing heavy fog this A.....The barges are getting nasty, winds are high, waves are rough.....
Chronology:
Wednesday, May 28 2003 -
2003 Record Set at 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes!
Chronology:
What to do about floating debris....Buffet or a sandwich for lunch?... Things are just a tad bit wet tonight....
Chronology:
Monday, May 26, 2003-
600 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... Baton Rouge or bust.... bets are being taken for final time estimates... the paddlers are too fast to catch ....
Chronology:
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 -
Desiree has joined the road crew ....Paddlers are facing heavy fog this A.....The barges are getting nasty, winds are high, waves are rough.....
Chronology:
Wednesday, May 28 2003 -
2003 Record Set at 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes!
Chronology:
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
New World Guinness Record!
Fastest time to row the length of the Mississippi River by a team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
Fastest time to row the length of the Mississippi River by a team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
Bob and Clark were motivated by a love of paddling and the spirit of competition. But behind that, it's a deeply personal undertaking for both men. Clark's daughter has Rett syndrome and Bob's family has been affected by Adrenoleukodystrophy, so they're taking on this unique challenge to raise awareness and research funds to combat these two very different life threatening rare diseases
Please note - We raced against the clock to beat the previous Guinness World Records set in 1989 and 1984 and 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.
Guinness World Records. - 1989 Record for paddling the entire Mississippi River - 23 days, 9 hours, and 51 minutes.
Paddlers Bill Perdzock and Mike Schnitska
Guinness World Records. - 1984 Record for paddling the entire Mississippi River - 23 days, 10 hours, 20 minutes.
Paddlers Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons
For more information, please see Mississippi River Canoe and Kayak Racing By Clark Eid, Updated April 11, 2019
Guinness World Records. - 1989 Record for paddling the entire Mississippi River - 23 days, 9 hours, and 51 minutes.
Paddlers Bill Perdzock and Mike Schnitska
Guinness World Records. - 1984 Record for paddling the entire Mississippi River - 23 days, 10 hours, 20 minutes.
Paddlers Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons
For more information, please see Mississippi River Canoe and Kayak Racing By Clark Eid, Updated April 11, 2019
Special thanks to Commander Jerry Torok and D.F. Ryan, Captain, US Coast Guard, Chief Marine Safety Division for his assistance!
Guinness Certificate; Photo by Clark Eid