First held in 1961, the Mid-Am will return to the Fox River Saturday, June 7, with multiple categories in both competitive and recreational divisions. Paddlers can choose from launch points in St. Charles (10 miles) or Batavia (six miles), and divisions for those who require canoe or kayak rental are included.
Heats will begin at 8:30 a.m. in St. Charles and 10 a.m. in Batavia, and participants must register online or at the Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora. All racers receive a t-shirt, and medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. To be guaranteed a t-shirt in their size, participants must register by Saturday, May 24; the general race deadline is 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 4.
The 2025 long course will return to Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles (Prairie Street, east of Route 31), after officials moved the launch to Geneva last year due to construction on the Island Park pedestrian and railroad bridge that spans the Fox River about a mile upstream. Batavia racers will launch from the Batavia VFW (645 S. River Street) on the east side of the River.
Members of FVPD’s Operations team will be on hand to assist recreational participants during portages (three from St. Charles, one from Batavia), where paddlers must exit the river and carry their vessels around dams. (Competitive racers are not eligible to receive a helping hand.)
“I get phone calls every year from people because they’ve never done anything like this, and they call for specifics like how long the course is and how much skill they need,” said coordinator Lynn Piotrowsk. “They’re always thrilled to find out we offer assistance at the portages. We’re not going to let anyone struggle out there.”
Of the 222 boats in last year’s race, nearly 100 registered as recreational.
“That’s a pattern we’ve seen in recent years – we have a really nice mix of ages and experience levels,” Piotrowski says. “No matter what your motive is for getting into that water, everybody finds something memorable for themselves. We had a couple last year who were on their first date!”
Race officials strongly encourage participants with their own canoes or kayaks to unload boats at their respective launches, park at Prisco Community Center, 101 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, and take one of two shuttles back to their launch site 90 minutes prior to their heat. Paddlers who rent boats should also park at Prisco, because there is no shuttle service following the race.
The finish line for both courses is staged just beyond the Illinois Avenue bridge in Aurora, and a post-race lunch celebration will be held at adjacent McCullough Park. A wristband that’s good for lunch is included in the registration fee. Reuland’s Food Service will be onsite preparing a grilled lunch menu featuring several items for purchase. Non-competitors of the race can purchase a $25 ticket that includes lunch in the park and a race t-shirt.
“We have families that have been competing since the 1960s, now on a third generation, and it’s such a cool thing to see,” Piotrowski said. “What makes the event so great is it’s about the fun, the memory-making, and the community spirit. People enjoy being a part of the tradition.”
The 2025 Mid-Am is sponsored locally by Fabulous Fox! Water Trail, North Aurora Lions Club, Main Event – Warrenville, Artlip and Sons, Inc., and Wild Fork.
For more information or to register for the 2025 Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/event/mid-american-canoe-kayak-race-3.
—Fox Valley Park District