Chicago Shoreline Marathon - The Only World-Class Race to Paddle Lake Michigan and the Shores of Chicago!

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and a detailed course descriptions from 2007 winner Erik Borgnes

WHAT RACERS ARE SAYING

"In the shortest and simplest way: Chicago is fantastic! The concept of racing the shoreline is brilliant. It's a long one, a marathon in its own right, but it seems to fly by as you work your way from one beach stop to the next. All too soon the race is over.
... the run down with the wind was world class with some fantastic bumps pushing us along. I really really had a fun time."

Dawid Mocke
Fish Hoek, South Africa, 2009

"Well, for those of you that slept in late on Saturday AM, you missed a truly world class race…"
"…it was about the most well organized and professionally run race I've been in. The course was varied, challenging, scenic. Beautiful sandy beaches in Chicago? - you bet! You definitely have to put this one on your calendar next year."

Erik Borgnes
Sturgeon Bay, WI - 2007

“On a sunny Saturday in September, 37 paddlers lined up in the glassy Calumet Harbour on the south side. Chicago is known as "the Windy City," although some say the title refers more to the blustery promises made by shady politicians than the fierce gusts that can whip the 494-km (307 mile) long lake into a turbulent inland sea.

Well, the skyline was still stunning when the horn sounded on Saturday at 9 AM, but the wind was virtually non-existent, as were the powerboats. The lake that's slightly larger than Croatia had become the world's largest duck pond. Flat meant more pain and less fun but it also meant that the top dogs took it out easier. In fact, for the first 2K I was able to sit with Dawid Mocke and Bevan Manson - a spot on the paddling map where I felt rather pleased to be.”

Joe Glickman
New York, NY, - 2008

"Thanks to Tim Flentye (and company) for hosting such an extremely well organized event…"
"…all the preparation and attention to safety and organizational detail was certainly noticed.

I hope to be back next year for an even bigger event."

Ken Kortkamp
San Francisco, CA - 2007

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For all skill levels, the ideal race for Club or Corporate Teams and Adventure Racers

Each team will have four paddlers and each paddler will complete one 3-mile leg of the race. This 4-leg relay will start on Leone Beach. Each participant will complete a series of laps around a buoy-marked course, then return to Leone where they switch paddlers for the second leg and so on.
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For paddlers with the drive to compete

The 2-Beach Race course will start on Leone Beach and will consist of one round trip between Leone and Montrose Beaches.

The approximately 8-mile round trip will finish back at Leone Beach.
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For the skilled competitive paddler

For 2012, the Marathon course has been shortened to 18Mi /28Ks. The Marathon will start at 63rd Street Beach on the south side of Chicago and run north along the shoreline to Leone Beach (Touhy Avenue) on the north side. Marathon contestants will be required to check in at 12th Street, North Avenue and Montrose Avenue Beaches.
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NEWS

March 2012 --

Date Set for 2012 race - Sat, Aug. 11 is the official race date for 2012
REGISTRATION is OPEN Aug 2011 --
Mocke defends his title yet again taking first in 2011 CSM.
Mocke Chicago SHoreline Marathon 2011

Sean Rice finished a close second, just 39 seconds behind Mocke. Rice did however edge out Mocke to win the Hotspot sprint at the outset of the marathon.
. Mocke Chicago SHoreline Marathon 2011

Greg Barton, competing for the first time in the CSM, took third place overall and 1st place in the Men's Masters class Mocke Chicago SHoreline Marathon 2011

Complete race results are here.
Top 10 finishers are ....

1. Dawid Mocke 2:8:20

2. Sean Rice 2:8:59

3. Greg Barton 2:13:24

4. Philippe Boccara 2:16:8

5. Barry Lewin 2:18:43

6. Robert Hartman 2:19:1

7. Barend Spies 2:28:34

8. Sean Lupton-Smith 2:28:41

9. Austin Schwinn 2:29:9

10. Steve Gurney 2:30:44

A terrific breakdown of the 2011 race can be seen at surfski.info
click here to read more

Prize Money!

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers of the marathon distance race as follows:

First place single $3,000
Second place single $2,000
Third place single $1,500
Fourth place single $1,000
Fifth place single $750
Sixth place single $500
Seventh place single $250

First place woman single $1,000
Second place woman single $500
Third place woman single $250

Outrigger canoe purse $300

A minimum of 3 entrants are required to fill out a class.

CSM is supporting Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, an important 501-c-3 non-profit organization that assists men and their families battling prostate cancer, and WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO SUPPORT THEM, TOO!
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