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The Race
Course ...... Over 2300 miles of grueling conditions including
floating unreadable bogs, tornadoes, dangerous storms, barges,
tankers, wing dams and more.... all to raise awareness and
funds for research for Rett syndrome while setting World Records!
The Minnesota
Rett Angels sponsored dinner May 4, for all families and
teams. Thank you to all the kind families who helped out!
Team
Kruger, in MN, passing a home in flooded waters
Team Double Helix, in MN
Team
Alaska, in the meandering Mississippi River in Minnesota,
just south of the Headwaters.
Team Rebels With A Cause near the start
Team
Amazons of the Mississippiat the start
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On
May 5, 2001, five daring, mighty teams of determined paddlers
gathered at Itasca State Park, Minnesota and began the
world's longest canoe/kayak marathon race.
All teams donated a tremendous amount
of time, money, hard work and sweat to participate in this
race! Physical and mental endurance were taken to the extreme
while attempting to paddle 2,348 miles nonstop to the
Gulf of Mexico to set new World Records.
More
importantly, participating teams and families from across
the world raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general
and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure.
A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey,
is our best hope for our children's future.
Teams
Survive World's Longest, Toughest Race
In
true "Survivor" form, two teams of undaunted paddlers finished
the longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in history when they
arrived at where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of
Mexico, ending an epic journey of 2,348 miles that encountered
everything from exhaustion to some of the worst flooding on
record. The race
started on May 5th, 2001 at 6:00 AM from the Douglas Lodge
area on Lake Itasca and ends af Mile 0 South of Venice, Louisiana!
Team
Kruger, led by the renowned Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford,
placed first in their specialized canoe at 24 days, 17 hours,
51 minutes. Team Double Helix, featuring the event's unique
flagship kayak called the Double Helix, placed second at 26
days, 6 hours, 40 minutes. Team Alaska, showing
true perserverance and dedication, replaced a kayak
after it was lost in a harrowing rapids in Minnesota and stayed
in the race! Team Alaska remained on the river until May 31
and pulled out at mile marker 707. Teams Amazons of the Mississippi
and Team Rebels with a Cause made a gallant effort but had
to withdraw from the race after the first week.
Special
US Coast Guard permission was granted to travel on otherwise
"closed" sections of the river. Unfortunately, negotiations
for this cost the racers at least two days. The US Corp of
Engineers also permitted several Locks and Dams to be safely
navigated by going over their spill-ways. Foul weather, combined
with the unusually high flow rates, at times generated extraordinary
paddling conditions. Although all paddlers experienced some
physical trauma, only two required temporary hospitalization.
The
race was sanctioned by the United
States Canoe Association and American Canoe
Association. Teams were obligated to follow extensive
rules, safety programs, to donate to rett syndrome research
charities to participate in this race.
The
Double Helix- The Race Flagship
The
Double Helix is
an extraordinary custom kayak that
served as the flagship for The Great Mississippi River Race
for Rett Syndrome, May 2001, primarily
built by Clark Eid, chairman and founder of the Great Mississippi
River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001.
The
Double Helix was paddled by Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann
of Team Double Helix during the extreme charity event
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May
2001 during one of the worst floods on record.
The Greatest Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome holds
a world record for the longest non-stop canoe and kayak
race.
This
Double Helix was built in honor of Clark's daughter
Amanda Eid, who has Rett Syndrome. The
Double Helix was built with almost 100 different
types of wood. Clark designed the two rose vines that can
be seen wrapping completely around this unusual craft. This
mural was created by using over 2,000 pieces of 63 different
wood veneers in a technique known as marquetry. The rose
vine was designed to mirror a segment of double-stranded
DNA that codes for a peptide that spells: A-M-A-N-D-A-S-D-R-E-A-M-K-E-E-P-E-R.
Where
is the Double Helix Today?
The Double Helix is in the process of being publicly placed
at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans
so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome
to the general public.
About
This Special Charity Event
The
Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May
2001, is the brainchild of Clark Eid. Clark Eid and
his wife Mary Potter planned this extreme charity event
to raise awareness and research money for Rett syndrome,
a rare and devastating neurological disease that has
afflicted their daughter, Amanda.
Rett
syndrome is a rare and devastating neurological disease
that affects 1 in 10,000, primarily female children,
and has no cure. Over 99% of all families affected by
Rett syndrome do not have any family history of this
progressive and deadly disease. There is no treatment
for Rett syndrome.
Through
this charity event, participating
teams and families from across the world raised awareness
of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities
while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research,
echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best
hope for our children's future.
"We
wanted to do a special charity event that would be remembered
for all time, so that we could help those with Rett
Syndrome for all time", Potter said.
If
you would like to help, please consider donating to
the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation or to your favorite
Rett syndrome research fund and indicate your donation
is for Rett Syndrome Research. Donations to 501(c)3
charities are often tax deductible. Please check with
your tax advisor or the charity for more information.
L
to R, Clark Eid, Noah Eid, Amanda Eid and Mary Potter
at the headwaters of the Missisippi River.
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