Press — Mississippi Speed Record

St. Paul, MN – April 28, 2021 – Mississippi Speed Record, a team of four canoeists, will set off from Lake Itasca, Minnesota on Tuesday, May 4 in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River. The original record of 56 days was set in 1937. The current record of 18 days, 4 hours and 51 minutes was set in 2003.

As part of its effort, the team is partnering with the Mississippi River Network to bring attention - continued - 1to challenges facing the river. “Our goal is to set a new record, but our mission is to raise awareness of the need to preserve the Mississippi River Basin,” said Scott Miller, Mississippi Speed Record team captain. “The river is a source of drinking water for 18 million people and provides vital habitat to numerous species of plants, birds, fish and other wildlife. It is a vital source of economic and community activities and an iconic part of America’s history that deserves our protection,” said Kelly McGinnis, Mississippi River Network executive director.

Learn more about the Mississippi Speed Record team and the Guinness World Record attempt by visiting www.mississippispeedrecord.com or the Mississippi Speed Record Facebook page. The Mississippi River Network is a coalition of 58 non-profit river conservation advocacy organizations located in the 10 states along the river. A list of members and additional information can be found at www.1Mississippi.org

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Mississippi Speed Record - Overview The four-paddler Mississippi Speed Record team will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest time down the entire 2,300-mile length of the Mississippi River - from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana - in May 2021. The launch of the attempt is planned for the morning of Tuesday, May 4.

The Guinness World Record - The first time the record was set was in 1937 when Joe Tagg, Gerald Capers and Charles Saunders paddled from Itasca to New Orleans in 56 days. In 1978, the record was set for a second time by a British Royal Air Force team at 42 days, 5 hours and some minutes. Bob Bradford and Clark Eid set the current record of 18 days, 4 hours and 51 minutes in 2003. There have been at least 3 unsuccessful attempts since then (2014, 2017, 2018).

The Mississippi Speed Record Team Scott Miller - 45, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Team captain. Paddled from the Twin Cities to Hudson Bay in 2005. Missouri River 340, 4 th place, team division (fastest MN IV canoe finish in the history of the race); Great Alabama 650, 3 rd place, team division. Joel Ford - 36, Fallston, Maryland. Member of Rootstock Racing, the 2018 US National Championship Adventure Racing Team. Perry Whitaker - 59, St. Louis, Missouri. Twelve time finisher of the Missouri River 340 canoe race. Expert on the St. Louis area of the Mississippi River. Adam Macht - 36, Ely, Minnesota. Wilderness canoeing and camping outfitter and long distance paddler, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park.

The May 2021 - Attempt Scott began planning for the attempt in September 2018. This year’s effort is scheduled to launch from the Headwaters at Lake Itasca on May 4, 2021. In addition to individual daily training, the team has had numerous multi-day training sessions on several sections of the river from Minnesota to Tennessee.

Strategies for Success Four paddlers, allowing at least 1 paddler to be resting at any given time. In addition, safety support boats will escort the team from St. Paul, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico and handle communications with barge traffic and commercial vessels, and with Lock and Dam operations.

Follow Along -Follow the team on their attempt at www.mississippispeedrecord.com or on the Mississippi Speed Record Facebook page. Below is an approximate schedule of the team’s intended time schedule and locations (will depend on canoe speed, weather conditions, water levels, etc.). You may also click on this link to track the team’s progress and see their exact location once they are underway: https://share.garmin.com/Mississippispeedrecord

Projected Locations

Day 1: Bemidji, MN Day

Day 2: Grand Rapids, MN

Day 3: Palisade and Aitkin, MN

Day 4: Little Falls, St. Cloud, and the Twin Cities Day

Day 5: Twin Cities, Lake City, MN Day

Day 6: Winona, MN, LaCrosse, WI Day

Day 7: Dubuque, IA, Camanche, IA Day

Day 8: Muscatine, IA, Burlington, IA Day

Day 9: Hannibal, MO

Day 10: St. Louis, MO

Day 11: Cape Girardeau, MO

Day 12: Ashport, TN

13: Memphis, TN

14: Greenville, MS

15: Natchez, MS

16: Baton Rouge, LA

17:New Orleans and Venice, LA