History of the World Record

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The quest to set the Guinness World Record

People have been setting and breaking the record for fastest paddle down the Mississippi River since 1937. The record is recognized by the Guinness World Records under the title “Fastest Time to Row the Length of the Mississippi River by a Team”. Most of the teams that have set the world record have done so in a canoe, though per the guidelines issued by Guinness a scull, rowing boat, kayak or canoe would be permissible.
The first time the record was set was in 1937. Joe Tagg, Gerald Capers and Charles Saunders paddled from Itasca to New Orleans in 56 days.

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KJ Millhone and Steve Eckelkamp set the Mississippi canoe record in 1980.

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(1). In 1980, KJ Millhone and Steve Eckelkamp set a new world record at 35 days, 11 hours and 27 minutes.

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The record is broken several times

The record was next set in 1984, by famed paddlers Verlen Kruger and Valerie Fons(2). Fons and Kruger’s time was 23 days and 10 hours(3). Bill Perdzock and Mike Schnitzka set it again in 1989 with a time of 23 days, 9 hours and 51 minutes(4). In 2001, Bob Bradford partnered with Verlen Krueger to try and reclaim the record, but various authorities forced them off the river on multiple occasions due to flooding(5), and they just missed setting a new record, paddling the river in 24 days. Bob Bradford made another attempt two years later, paddling with Clark Eid. Bob and Clark set the current world record on May 10-23, 2003: 18 days, 4 hours and 51 minutes(6). Bob and Clark documented their trip at the website: Mississippi River Ultra Marathons for Rett Syndrome (2001) and Rett Syndrome & Leukodystrophy (2003) - Home which continues to be a wealth of information about the history of the record, their attempt, and their efforts to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome and Leukosystrophy. Clark Eid was personally very helpful in sharing information about the history of the record and some of the information from this page is from his website and work. Clark has also been assisting the Tunica Riverpark and Museum in Tunica, MS in expanding their exhibit dedicated to human powered racing on the Mississippi River. His family donated the kayak Double Helixand associated gear from the 2001 Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome along with items from their 2003 Guinness World Record from the Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy. They are also helping the museum by collecting historical information about firsts, attempts, Guinness Records, and notable runs on the Mississippi River. Both Bob and Clark have been kind and helpful with advice as we have trained and prepared for our attempt.

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An unsuccessful attempt in 2018

Since 2003 there have been at least three unsuccessful attempts to break the record. A team of four consisting of Tim Muhich, Colin Bright, Clint Adams and Boot Baweja made and attempt in 2014(7), and in 2017 they made another attempt with Dale Waldo replacing Boot Baweja(8). Kevin Eckelkamp (nephew of Steve Eckelkamp), Nate Lastinger and KJ Millhone made an unsuccessful attempt in 2018(9).

In 2020, Scott Miller along with KJ Millhone, Casey Millhone, and Oliver Simes put together a team to break the record. Because of the Covid pandemic and numerous stay at home orders, this attempt was scraped. Scott then put together a new 4 person team, as did KJ and Casey Millhone, resulting in two “rival” attempts in 2021.

2021: Team MMZero sets the new record

KJ and Casey Millhone joined with Rod Price and Bobby Johnson for their attempt. They called themselves team Mile Marker Zero or “MMZero”. They launched at the headwaters on April 22, 2021 and beat the 2003 record by 9 hours and 5 minutes, establishing the new record at 17 days, 19 hours and 46 minutes.

Team Mississippi Speed Record (2021 version)

Scott’s team consisted of Joel Ford, Adam Macht and Perry Whittaker. They launched two weeks after Team MMZero. By the time they got to Memphis they had a lead of over 7 hours compared to MMZero’s pace, but a multi-day storm spurred by an unusual May tropical depression the gulf created days of unrelenting headwinds. Their lead dwindled and, just prior to New Orleans around midnight the waves grew so large the team had to be rescued by their safety boat. An article by Frank Bures, published in Outside Magazine, does a great job telling the story of the two 2021 attempts.

Team Mississippi Speed Record (2023 version)

Scott started dreaming of making another attempt within days of the 2021 attempt going down, but took a few weeks to make sure he had it in him. He reached out to Joe Mann and Paul Cox, as he had briefly met them at the Alabama 650 race. Joe and Paul impressed Scott not only because they set the course record and were obviously skilled and experienced paddlers, but because they seemed to be friendly guys with a great sense of teamwork and humor. Once they joined the team Joe suggested Wally Werderich as a possible 4th paddler based on having known Wally for many years and knowing his formidable racing experience, skills and great personality. Joe later suggested Judd Steinback as a possible back-up paddler for similar reasons, and the team was set, Joe eventually took Judd’s spot as the back-up paddler.