After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marsh Mash returned to Bradford West Gwillimbury on Saturday.
The fourth oldest marathon canoe race in Ontario, it has attracted canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboarders to the area since its inception in 1979. This year, for the first time in 35 years, there was the option to race all 28 kilometres of the canal—along with the 18, nine and six kilometre course options.
With well over 50 paddlers in attendance, Mayor Rob Keffer and Ward 3 Councillor Gary Lamb greeted the masses at the starting line across from Sovereign Grace Church.
“A big welcome to everyone here today,” said Keffer. “This is the 42nd Marsh Mash and we thank you all for coming because the participants and competitors are what make the Marsh Mash so successful. We’re so happy that we do have the full circuit of 28 kilometres ready for you this year. At the 35th Marsh Mash, Olympian Adam van Koeverden was here, and we hope there are many more future Olympians here today.”
For over 30 years, organizer Iain Craig and his family have helped organize the Marsh Mash, and he was happy to see the turnout after going multiple years without the race.
“It’s a good mix for the turnout,” he said. “We’ve got juniors, seniors, kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders. It helps that we got good weather. It’s been a lot of work and Bethany (Kuboniwa) from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury has done a huge amount of work. It’s been a team effort to get it all done.”
In particular, Craig was excited to see the return of the 28 kilometre course, thanks to the efforts of the town and Holland Marsh Drainage Commission clear the canal.
“We haven’t had 28 kilometres in years because it was too difficult to keep it clean,” he said. “We started doing loops but with the construction of the new canal finished we’re able to go all the way around.”
Craig was one of two participants at the 42nd Marsh Mash on Saturday who also competed in the inaugural event in 1979. Craig raced with his grandson Evan Welburn on Saturday.
After all 17 races were completed—ranging in distance, age, style—the Marsh Mash concluded with awards in the early afternoon outside Sovereign Grace Church.
