ALLAGASH, Maine — A new 15-mile downriver Class II whitewater canoe and kayak race is sparking some buzz among veteran paddlers still deciding whether to make the trek north on May 18.
The inaugural Tylor Kelly Allagash Dash, slated for 10 a.m. May 18, was recognized by Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization as the 11th race in a 2025 series that awards racers points as it goes along, according to Jake Feener, who is organizing the event with his wife Lisa.
“Lisa and I do the races down south in Bangor, and others and I always felt we should have a race up here,” he said. “We have beautiful rivers up here and the races mark the coming of spring.”
The Feeners race together in the annual MaCKRO races and decided this year to create an Allagash race dedicated to a town legend, the late Tylor Kelly, who died last spring, they said.
“The race is kicking off a really important time of year for our community where we rely entirely on people passing through,” Lisa Feener said. “This is a great event to kick that off and to showcase Allagash through what Tylor loved about it. “
The race’s namesake, Tylor Wade Kelly, was born in 1937 near where the Little Black River pours into the St. John River. His life began at a time where water travel was still essential to existence, Lisa Feener said, adding that the river is still important to the people of Allagash.
Kelly was competitive, racing just about anything — including wooden canoes with wooden paddles he made himself, she added.
There hasn’t been a race in the Allagash area for 10 to 15 years, although Lisa Feener said she talked to several locals who are not really sure why it died off. The organizers hope this month’s race will bring paddling back to the Allagash River
Allagash is the largest town by land mass in the state, at 128.6 square miles. It is fondly called Moose Town, with perhaps more moose than people. And while it is remote, there are places to stay overnight, a restaurant, cell service and a hot top paved road all along the length of the race where people can stop to watch, Jake Feener said.
The 15-mile race will start on the Allagash River where it flows under the bridge in town. Within 10 minutes, racers will be at the confluence of the Allagash and St. John rivers, finishing at Hart’s Landing in St. Francis off Route 161.
Bob Martin, who finished first in his class with three other paddlers in the recent Meduxnekeag River Race in Houlton, said he was pretty sure they would be heading to the Allagash race after completing one in Milo this Saturday.
Martin and paddling partner Terry Wescott — who is famed for his first-place finish in the grueling Yukon 1000 — actually went on a canoe trip with race co-organizer Lisa Feener when she first began paddling, she said.
“I’m excited because we love them,” she said.
At this point Lisa Feener said there has been lots of discussion about people coming, and area residents are very excited about the race, but it’s too soon to know how many will actually appear.
“We talked to other race organizers, and they said about 80 percent of people will register that day,” she said. “We really have no idea what to expect, but we’re just excited to have started it.”
Unlike the Meduxnekeag River Race, which is also in the series, the Allagash Dash will have a mass start with six or eight classes of canoes and kayaks starting at the same time, Lisa said.
“It is a high-energy start with good healthy competition,” she said. “It’s really entertaining.”
Following the race, there will be a big meal at the Allagash Community Building along with race awards. Shuttles will be available after the race.
Lisa estimates the race will take about two hours, with three for those not going as fast and lunch served from about 1 to 3 p.m. Awards will be presented around 2 p.m.
There will also be door prizes including $500 worth of heating oil from Dead River, products from Mainely Coffee, dog antler chews from Gracie’s Moose Antler Co. and more.
Participants can pre-register by May 16 for a free T-shirt, though supplies are limited and the earliest to sign up and pay will receive one. The fee is $25 per paddler, or $15 for University of Maine at Fort Kent students.
Racers can also register the morning of the race at the community center, starting at 8 a.m. Racers must be at the race briefing at Carney Landing just above Allagash Bridge at 9:45 a.m. to participate.
For more information, email [email protected] or call Jake Feener at 207-316-3483.
