2,396 miles later. At Coast Guard’s Head of Passes lighthouse and Mile Maker Zero, where the Mississippi empties into the Gulf of Mexico. In their their 23-foot, four-person Kevlar canoe manufactured by We-no-nah but heavily modified for the  marathon. Image: Lisa Millhone

16 days, 20 hours: No doubt a Guinness record

NEW ORLEANS, La –It’s not quite yet verified for the Guinness Book of World Records, but four canoeists have traversed the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in 16 days, 20 hours, and 16 minutes. They finished at 2:43 a.m. at Mile Marker Zero at Head of Passes — almost a day ahead of the existing record. The team headed by Scott Miller of Minneapolis and including Judson Steinback of LaCrosse left Lake Itasca on May 10 at 6 a.m. They had a support team bringing them food every 12 hours along the 2,300-mile route.

Second time

For Scott Miller this wasn’t the first attempt to beat the record. He tried in 2021 but his canoe capsized in a storm 150 mile short of the Gulf. . This time he geared the canoe with safety lights, a navigation system, and even sleeping arrangements.

Finale at Gulf

Local river pilots helped point the canoe through the industrial waterways in Louisiana. They crossed the finish line to cheers and applause in the middle of the night. After a few hours sleep Miller said he was “tremendously satisfied.”The crew is celebrating and resting in Louisiana. They will be returning to the Twin Cities to host a weekend of canoe and kayak events June 11.

Final 74 miles. South from New Orleans through the delta to Head of Passes.

“Pit crew”

The canoeists had a 20-member support team in boats and trucks delivering meals, water, batteries, and fresh clothes. The canoe was adapted for a modified sleeping compartment  With one paddler in the bow and another in the stern,  two others could keep dry and  sleep in the middle. The canoe was outfitted with a rudder, bilge pump, and battery. Potty breaks? Mostly zip-lock bags.

The champion paddlers

Scott Miller. Of Minneapolis. Team leader.  Has paddled 8,000 miles in his life. This includes from the Twin Cities to Hudson Bay in 2015. A registered nurse at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and as a massage therapist at his shop called Body Repair.

Judson Steinback. Of LaCrosse.At age 21 he participated in his first canoeing, biking and running triathlon.  He and his father, Jeff, bought their first racing style canoe shortly thereafter. Is the current the Master’s Class Men’s and Mixed USCA C-2 National Champion. Owns ahis landscaping company.

Paul Cox. Of Atlanta, Georgia. Twenty-plus years experience in ultra distance racing beginnuig at the National Outdoor Leadership School course on the Green River in Utah. Twice winner of the Great Alabama 650. A digital media editor and operations manager. Also a kayak and recreational outdoor skills instructor.

Wally Werdrerich. Of Yorkville, Illinois.  Learned canoeing through the Boy Scouts when 7 years old. Long a competitor in U.S. Canoe Association national championships, including the Missouri River 340. It’s rumored that he’s a member of the legendary Los Humungos Paddleos masked luchador canoe racing team. What’s he do for a living? He’ll tell you carries Los Humungos Paddleos’ canoe paddles and washes their capes.

Joe Mann. Of Kanas City. Backup paddler. Began paddling with his dad as a child. Took his bride on a canoe trip for their honeymoon. Has raced in he Missouri River 340 and the Alabama 650. Among finishes: Missouri River Freedom 100, Great Alabama 650, and Texas Water Safari. Works in the procurement industry.