Saturday, July 23, 2011 is just 199 days away until the 25th running of the Blackburn Challenge. From Gloucester High School up the Annisquam River then all the way around Cape Ann until the turn at the Dogbar Breakwater signals just two more miles until the Greasy Pole finish line. Twenty miles and change total. If you finish under six hours you get nice cold IPA and a pork sandwich.
Last year I was in a 70 pound sea kayak. I made it for the beer. It was an amazing experience seeing the entire shoreline of Cape Ann in one shot. This year I have upgraded to a 28 pound kayak and now all I have to do is use the next 199 days to lose a little winter lard so I can fit in the thing and better my time.
Anyone else want to do it? All you have to do is find a craft one can paddle or row and a bit of stamina. You don’t need as much as Howard Blackburn had, just a morning’s paddle. You swam in Gloucester Harbor on the first day of the year. Here is your next challenge.
Good Morning Gloucester 
I could never do that, not in 6 hours anyway, maybe if I could take all weekend, but my sister and her boyfriend are avid kayakers, so I sent your post to them to see if they want to join in the grueling fun.
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Cool, forgot to mention you also get a cool T-Shirt and the company of around 300 other boats. The faster boats are released last and being passed by these Hawaiian six man outriggers going “hut, hut!” is pretty amazing.
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