Missouri River 340 Race...

This post is dedicated to the founders of this race, Russ Payzant (my dad) and Scott Mansker (his best bud).

These two have been at it for years, building boats. This was the 4th annual race and it has just exploded. The first year they had 15 boats and this year there were over 200. People from all over participate in this race and I met some people that have done it the 4 years. This year there was a 12 year old girl and a 14 year old girl and they finished. They've have done other races but this is by far the longest non-stop river race. The two guys who won this year did it in 38 hours 59 mins.

When the girls and I arrived at about 8am there were people everywhere, it was crazy. The race was suppose to begin at 8am but was delayed until 9:30 because of a storm. There was a DJ playing music, news crews all over, a firing squad, someone to sing the national anthem, and down the river at the riverwalk they had all sorts of things going on. There were people there at the riverwalk to watch the paddlers go by.

These masked guys are big time paddlers, they have stickers on their boat of all the races they've been in.

All these boaters had support groups.

That black boat belongs to the masked guys.

A couple guys waiting to get their boat in the water.

It was funny to see how some of these people rigged up there boats.

Just waiting for the race to start, kicking back and relaxin'.

People waiting on the other side of the Kansas River (Kaw River).

The little trailers for the kayaks cracked me up.

Kayaks all lined up.

Uncle Kevin and dad.

How funny is that.

People just waiting to go.

There's dad on the muddy bank getting into his boat.

Not only were there guys but women too.

I just thought that looked funny.

Hello BatMobile Kayak.

One of the masked guys talking to the news camera.

He was the main guy for the firing squad.

Cheyenne and mom.

So many people everywhere. You can't really tell from the pictures but it was just crazy, you couldn't move and the boaters were trying to get their boats in around all the people standing around watching.

Camera crews everywhere.

Boaters going down the ramp.

Check out the bananas on the back of their boat.

Aunt Caryn and Ayva.

Cheyenne and mommy.

More trailers.

The masked guys are in.

All the safety boats on the river bank.

There's dad and uncle Kevin on one of the many boats he's built.

This is one of the many obsticles the boaters had to deal with. See that big barge going by. One year a couple got sucked under one of those at night. They made it out ok, but that was a scary year for the guys.

For some odd reason Cheyenne wanted to get into all the cars. She would take grandma to each car and point at the handle wanting to get in. Crazy girl!

There's Scott getting everything ready to go.

Here's the firing squad.

This is a view from the bottom of the ramp looking down the Kaw River.

The starting line.

FIRE!!!

And they're off!!!

Here they are entering the Missouri River.

Aunt Caryn and Ayva watching them get smaller and smaller.

News reporter.

They are the tiny ants in the river.

You can barely see them in the river with a view of Kansas City, Mo.

More information on the race go here.

I just wanted to add that my dad is an amazing person. He has done a lot in his life and amazes me just thinking about it. He has built 8 dune buggies...similar to this...

I remember going to the dunes every year and it was the best time ever. I loved it and will always be a cherished childhood memory.

And now he has built 8 boats. He doesn't just do a few cosmetic jobs, he guts them and rebuilds it. Go here, this is the story from start to finish of the Lexington boat.

Dad, you are the coolest and you amaze me with everything you know and know how to do it! Thank you for being such a wonderful example.