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Zane Havens makes his way through the rapids of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg during the annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race. Paddlers of canoes and kayaks started at Motts Run Landing and finished at Old Mill Park. This was the 26th year for the race. Photos by REBECCA SELL/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Canoes challenge the river

About 50 people participate in Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race

Date published: 6/5/2006

By JEFF BRANSCOME

Unlike many of the competitors at this weekend's 26th annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race, Mark Greenhalgh doesn't boast a national championship trophy.

In fact, the local competition is the only canoe race the Partlow resident has ever entered. But what Greenhalgh lacks in experience, he makes up for in enthusiasm.

The U.S. Army staff sergeant works nights in Arlington and finished a 10-hour shift yesterday at 4:30 a.m. Less than 10 hours later, he and his five children--ages 7 to 16--had paddled in a total of 12 races during the day.

"When you've got the river, there's no time for sleeping," Greenhalgh said with a smile. "Too much fun to be had."

Around 50 people--and a few dogs--of all skill levels participated in a number of different categories at the race, including mother-daughter and father-son. Competitors had to be at least 6 years old.

"There are categories you can enter and almost always come away" with a first-, second- or third-place ribbon, said the event's organizer, Alane Reed.

Of course, some folks went home with more accolades than others.

Meet the Havenses.

Keith Havens, 52, is a seven-time national champion in white-water canoeing, and coaches swimming and diving at Albion College in Michigan. His father competed in the Olympic Games and was just inducted into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame.

This weekend, Havens challenged and cheered a host of family and friends, including his 16-year-old son, Zane.

"When you've been to the race as long as we have, you get to know everybody," he said, noting that his family competed in Fredericksburg's inaugural race.

During a 5-mile contest from Motts Landing to Old Mill Park, Zane Havens went head-to-head with 66-year-old Ed Sharp--a close friend of the family.

"That's it, get on Ed's butt!" Keith shouted to his son from the side of the river.

As the competitors paddled out of sight, he hurried to his van and drove to a path about a mile up the river. From there, he traveled past Central Park to a shaded spot by the the river on Fall Hill Ave.

'When you've got the river, there's no time for sleeping. Too much fun to be had.' Mark Greenhalgh Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race participant

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Date published: 6/5/2006