The 2026 race held Saturday in Cameron County added an America 250 theme to the event. Instead of the canoe and kayak logo, paddles and shirts included an American flag and a paddler. Mother nature cooperated with temperatures in the 50’s and perfect water for paddling. Emergency responders reported everyone who started finished and only one kayak rolled in the water, but Constancy Boyce from Cameron County finished the race after rescuers retrieved the items from her kayak downstream.

The pace of the race was swift with the last competitor crossing the line in the Bob Umbenahauer aluminum canoe race in 2 hours 38 minutes. In that canoe were five-year old William Beisler and his mom Whitney and Bruce Osborne. Organizers noted it was wonderful seeing adults introducing canoeing to a young child and hope to see more in the upcoming years. “The average age of the competitors was over 60,” said Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Solak.

89-year old Ken Gerg from Emporium set a record as the oldest competitor. Gerg and his canoe partner Dana Leet finished first in the C-2 racing division. The top finisher in the race was John Dunkelberger from Northumberland in the Male Kayak Long division. He finished the 12-mile race in 1:38. The top female, Edna Spang from Gibsonia finished the race in a long kayak in 1:50.

16 year old Alan McCracken from Clearfield cleared the race in 1:41. McCracken has qualified for US Nationals for the second year in a row. The division named for one of the founders of the event, Bob Umbenhauer features a traveling trophy. It was a repeat win for the team from Ohio. Ed Leszek and Joe White finished the course in 1:44.

Several Cameron County residents placed in the race including Benjamin Patt taking home first in Men Medium Kayak. The women short kayak race saw first and second place finishers from Emporium. Valerie VanBregel and Dannielle Mason finished first and second. In the Men short kayak race Adam Goldsmith took first.

Safety crews from the region coordinated by Mountaineer Search and Rescue line the course.

“This event cannot happen without the support of the swift water teams, fire police, and ambulance crews,” said Solak. Solak continued thanking the community including sponsors and volunteers that organize bibs, and stream clean up before the race. The day of the event, Emporium Rotarians serve free hot drinks, committee members handle timing, awards and social media postings.

Beyond the Dirt is the next adventure race scheduled for August followed by the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run in October. Information on both can be obtained by contacting the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce.