ORTONVILLE — Both luck and skill were on their side as long-distance paddling enthusiasts Scott Miller and Scott Duffus sped down the length of the Minnesota River in 63 hours and five minutes.
“We got awfully lucky with the water levels and the weather,” Miller said.
The two paddlers launched their Wenonah Jensen 18 racing canoe below the dam at Ortonville at 5:27 p.m. Thursday, May 9, for their 317-mile sprint to the Mendota Bridge in Fort Snelling State Park. They arrived the morning of May 12.
Their time averages at just over five miles an hour, including the time used to take two short sleep breaks and a few five- and 10-minute stops along the way for food, water and to change clothes.
Fast waters, mild temperatures and even a tail wind at opportune times helped the two set the bar high for anyone who takes on the challenge they now set. Their goal is to establish a registry, as do long-distance runners, that will allow other paddlers to set records for runs down Minnesota rivers or to match the time others set.
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As for being good, both are experienced and passionate long-distance paddlers.
Miller, 48, was part of the team that made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for paddling the Mississippi River in 16 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes in May 2023. Duffus, 67, was part of the support team for that run. He and Miller have also paddled in long-distance paddle races, including the arduous Missouri River 340 , which covers that many miles.
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Miller conceded that he was not in as good a physical shape for the Minnesota River run as he was last year for the Mississippi River, but experience counts. He and Duffus were both prepared to deal with the sleep deprivation and hallucinations that are part of a multi-day marathon of this type.
Thanks to their experience, they also had the advantage of putting all of the other pieces together that are so important: The right mindset and gear, and knowledge of how to best meet nutrition and hydration needs.
A support crew followed them along the route, and provided pop-up shelters when the two paddlers took two stops for sleep. They took a four-hour break around New Ulm on Friday, May 10, and a two-hour break near Belle Plaine on Saturday, May 11.
Miller said Duffus realized on Saturday that he was becoming preoccupied with the hallucinations he was experiencing. He had the good sense to suggest a sleep break before they made the final dash to the finish line, according to Miller.
Contributed / Scott Miller
Part of this run was magical. Northern lights flashed and shimmered above them on the night of May 10.
The true beauty of the adventure was the river itself, according to Miller. They were able to appreciate the epic sweep of it by making such a quick run. From a narrow channel at the start to flooded woodlands on the lower reaches, it never disappointed.
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They paddled silently through the darkness on Marsh and Lac qui Parle lakes before an audience of thousands of pelicans.
They needed to portage around the Granite Falls dam. They put in below the U.S. Highway 212 bridge and rode the churning waters of the rapids that follow.
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“The stretch from Granite Falls to Morton is just spectacular,” Miller said. Towering granite outcrops and mature woodlands bursting in spring greenery gave the sense of being in the wild. “It was just sublime, absolutely sublime.”
To view photos and a video of their adventure, check out their Facebook page at Minnesota Speed Record . They will be posting information in the future on the registry they hope to set up.
Miller is now in the process of organizing this year’s Mississippi River Weekend, which features races and fun activities June 9 in Champlin with a 150-mile race starting June 7 in Brainerd. Check out TwoPaddles.org for information.
