UTICA, N.Y. — Paddlers took on a new challenge as Utica and Rome launched the first-ever Canal Cities Classic.
The Bank of Utica Canal Cities Classic is an 18-mile flatwater paddle race that began at Bellamy Harbor Park in Rome and finished at Harbor Point in Utica, traveling along the historic Erie Canal and Mohawk River. The race included a portage in Whitestown where participants carried their crafts across land before re-entering the water.
Race director Laura Cohen said, “We have 49 participants, so it’s kind of small for our first race, but they are a mighty crew that comes from so over. We have people from New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, that heard about the race and wanted to come to Utica and to Rome to participate, They’re a really enthusiastic bunch and we only hope to grow the race in the future.”
The first group to reach Harbor Point was the four-person Delta Force crew.
Eighteen-mile flatwater paddle race from Rome to Utica