Let’s Paddle Skedaddle

The fourth annual Paddle Skedaddle is set at Quarry Springs Park in Colfax. Whether paddling around in a kayak or taking a trail run through the park, this event is a fun, unique experience.

“It was a wonderful event,” Quarry Springs Park Board Vice President Kim Seebeck said.

The race pushes off at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 8 at Quarry Springs Park. It has a two-mile kayak course to “paddle” and a three-and-half-mile trail run to “skedaddle.”

New for 2024, there is a dog walkers category for the walk/run only option. Dogs should remain leashed, and bags will be included at registration.

“We want to encourage anyone with well-behaved dogs who love to walk or run to join us,” Seebeck said.

Chip timing will also be provided this year by B&W Racing Services to give racers their exact finishing time.

Racers need to provide their own kayak, and life jackets are a must. Quarry Springs Outfitters will have a limited number of kayaks available to rent for $10 each. To participate, it is $45 solo or $35 as a team member. Runners only pay $30.

Packet pickup runs from 7 to 7:30 a.m. at the park office with a racer meeting to follow at 8 a.m. Organizers anticipate participants should be able to finish the race in about two hours and 15 minutes if going at a walk and easy paddle pace.

Awards will begin at 10:30 a.m. and be presented to the top male/female in the following age categories: 17 and under, 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 and over.

THE COURSE

Start the paddle just southwest of the main office along the shoreline.

Paddle south, then east towards the east lake. Go around a buoy and head back to the finish/transition just north of where the race started.

Drop the kayak off with the help of our volunteers, run through the transition area and start your run or tag your partner to get started.

The run will head west alongside the road to the park and then to the southwest corner of the park towards the dike trail entrance. The run will head east for a mile through woods, then north around the east lake towards the isthmus between the north and east lake. The last three quarters of a mile will be through a sandier soil and back towards the finish line near the park office.