Tuscarawas River race draws serious competitors to Dover
DOVER – The winners of Saturday’s Tuscarawas County River Canoe and Kayak Race included experienced paddlers preparing to compete in national and international competitions.
John Dunkelberger of Northumberland, Pa., won the 10-mile race. He is the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Canoeing and Kayaking and wanted to stay sharp for upcoming races with higher stakes. That includes the USCA Nationals – the national competition for canoes and kayaks in Lock Haven, Pa., in August.
“All of us that are competing I’m sure want to compete with other competitors to bring out a little extra rather than just paddle on our own,” he said.
Thomas Hull of Conneaut, his girlfriend Raquel Timm of Bay Village, and their fox terrier Lobo were the first to cross the finish line in the 3-mile race. Hull competes on successful national Dragon Boat teams, racing on four continents and 10 countries. Recently he competed in a race along the Pacific Ocean shoreline in the Philippines. But he still finds time for the Tuscarawas River Race.
“It’s one of the best festivals that I go to in all the Ohio races that we run,” Hull said. “Mary Jo has always done an excellent job. It’s a good time. Everybody’s friendly. The competition is always good… It’s a beautiful river – great for paddling. I enjoy it down here.
“This is the first [kayak race] we’ve done this year,” Hull said. “We usually do nationals and a couple of state championships. Dragon-boating starts in January and we go all over the world. We just came back from Barcelona and are heading to Montreal next week.”
Saturday’s event was the 12th Tuscarawas River Canoe and Kayak Race, organized by Mary Jo Monte-Kaser. Dunkelberger traveled the farthest – over 300 miles from eastern Pennsylvania – to attend. Other competitors came from Indiana, Michigan and across Ohio.
John Dunkelberger of Northumberland, Pa., finished first in the 10-mile race. He’s pictured with race organizer Mary Jo Monte-Kaser.