From The Pueblo Chieftain (Tracy Harmon):
From adventurers who like to build their own boat to those who prefer to show off in one ready-made, the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival will offer a race tailor-made for all river rats.
The Whitewater Kayak and Recreation Park, affectionately dubbed, “WKRP-Canon City” at Centennial Park will be the site for the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival Friday and Saturday “A big addition this year is the USA Rafting National competition. This will be the first time they have brought the nationals to Canon City,” said Kyle Horne, an organizer.
“There will be four events and the top team advances to the World Championships in New Zealand. It will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see some of the best men’s and women’s rafting teams in the country,” Horne said.
Enthusiasm for the festival is strong. With the Royal Gorge Fire 100 percent contained Sunday, organizers remind participants and spectators that 90 percent of the Arkansas River is open for the race. The only portion closedwas fire-involved.
The nationals kick off with a time trial at 2 p.m. Friday which will start at the First Street bridge and finish at the Whitewater Park. Viewing areas will be available along the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail and on both sides of the river at the finish.
From the Cañon City Daily Record (Brandon Hopper):
If ever an event existed that put competitors through a little bit of everything before the finish line, this might just be it. The Whitewater Adventure Race at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival presents racers with pipes to climb, fire to jump , mud to crawl through and an ice bath to soak in. And that’s just to name a few.
An adventure it surely is.
The event — which has 5K and and three-quarter mile options — will happen at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the second day of the RGWF. The cost is $30 and includes free entry to RGWF and a New Belgium shirt. The race, for people 12 and older, begins at Veterans Park and ends at Centennial Park, where the majority of RGWF happens…
To register or for more information, visit royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com.