Story
Two big races, One great cause, and lots of blisters…
THE ASK:
Like with my 135 mile winter ultra-marathon in 2025, I am seeking your donation to YMCA Camp Menogyn in sponsorship of my next big outdoor adventure in 2026. Actually it’s two big adventures this year, both of them in a canoe and totaling 540+ miles. Please support me in my (slightly unhinged) approach to charitable fundraising. It's super quick and easy - way easier than what I'm about to do to my shoulders!
THE RACES:
First up is the MR340 in late July, a 340 mile paddling race down the Missouri River across the state of Missouri. I’m aiming for a non-stop 60 hours for this one if the current and weather are friendly. Then in September, once feeling returns to my hands, it’s off to the Border Route Challenge, a 200+ mile canoe race across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area along the U.S. / Canada border that includes over 10 miles of portages carrying our canoe and gear. That one will be with my sister and likely take 5 or 6 days.
THE CAUSE:
Every dollar of your donation goes directly to Menogyn, a YMCA wilderness adventure camp in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. For over 100 years, Menogyn has been building character in young men and women, teaching teamwork, perseverance, confidence, and a love of nature. My own Menogyn canoe trips did much to shape who I am today. They also apparently rewired my brain to think 540+ miles of paddling sounds fun!
Your donation provides scholarships for under-privileged youth to experience this sort of growth opportunity that would otherwise be out of reach. A BIG thank-you to those who donated last year. In 2025, the camp provided scholarships totaling $120,000 to over 100 youth.