10/17/2025
🏁 EddieFest 2025: The Legends Race Recap 🏁
EddieFest was born from love — love for Eddie, for paddling, for river culture, and for community. On Sunday, October 12th, 2025, the Chattahoochee bore witness to that love in full force, as Legends navigated currents both low and gentle. May these results not just crown winners, but also inspire all of us to respect, protect, and cherish the river that carried them and the River Family that cheered them on.
To every paddler who entered the fray, to every volunteer, to every cheer echoing downriver — thank you! You made this more than a festival of remembrance and a race. You made it legendary, Eddie Allen style!
Here’s to future crossings, to old and new legends, and to the river that holds us all. Eddie would have been proud — and so are we.
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The Upper Chattahoochee didn’t just flow on Sunday — it roared to life from the love of the river family as the 2025 Legends Race turned that peaceful stretch of Georgia river into a full-blown, splash-slinging, heart-thumping festival of speed, grit, and river magic.
From the crack of dawn to the final “woohoo” echoing through the trees, it was a day where legends were made, bragging rights were earned, and cherished friendships celebrated.
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Race Results:
🚀 Mens Hybrid Canoe
Clint Stewart came out of the gate like a man possessed, crushing the course with a 53:55 finish! He made “hybrid canoe” sound more like “hybrid rocket ship.” Rumor has it, the fish are still talking about his wake.
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🌊 Mens OC1
Daniel Watson owned the river with a powerful 1:05:53, earning his crown in style while Justin Scott chased him down with 1:09:27 — a battle that included at least one startled turtle and several “motivational” yells to the current. Both men proved that OC1 isn’t just about strength — it’s about stubbornness and style.
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🛶 Womens K1 Short Boat
Kelly Jenkins blazed her way to victory in 1:01:22, smooth and strong from start to finish. She made that kayak look like it was running on nitro, not elbow grease. The river didn’t stand a chance!
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💪 Mens K1 Short Boat
Hunter White came in on fire with 56:24, cutting through the water like the river owed him money. The man was all business — no sightseeing, no chit-chat, just pure, unfiltered speed.
Tricky (is that his actual name, if so, it fits) wasn’t far behind at 57:07, sneaking up on the finish line like a ninja with a paddle. His race strategy? A mix of caffeine, dark arts, and possibly a deal with the river gods.
Jeff Jenkins clocked in at 1:00:04, just four seconds shy of the sub-hour club — a heartbreak that’ll haunt him until at least EddieFest 2026. His cheering section was last seen still yelling “PADDLE HARDER!” at random strangers.
Lee Sanders (1:00:28) brought veteran coolness to the chaos, gliding through like he was born on this river.
David Allen (1:05:04) kept steady and strong. Some say because he heard banjos playing in the distance.
Jason Murdock (1:10:22) finished with grit, grin, and some creative river language.
This whole group didn’t just race the Chattahoochee — they roasted it. Legends, every last one.
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⚡ Mens K1 Long Boat
Mike LaTorre took gold also claiming overall fastest time with 53:45, moving so fast the stopwatch nearly short-circuited.
Larry Hall came in right behind him at 53:55, giving us a mental photo finish so close it should’ve come with dramatic music and he will have to live with the chants of “10 seconds” until EddieFest 2026.
Rick Thompson wrapped it up with 55:02, smiling like a man who’d just outsmarted the river itself.
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🥔 Spud Downriver & Spud Dash
Ah yes, the legendary Spud races launched like a parade dreamed up by a mad genius — where inflatable potatoes meet unshakable pride and a true test of glory.
Christine Taters (because destiny sometimes just names you right) owned it; like a legend born for this exact moment, gliding her spud like Poseidon in a pool float, taking first with flair.
Laura Smith, taking second place, matched that heroic energy, steering her spud with fearless determination and effortless style. She carved her own path through the chaos, moving like a force of nature that made even the river itself proud.
Frances Smith, securing third place, brought equal parts power, flair, and sheer river magic to her race. Her spud obeyed her commands like a loyal steed, and she crossed the finish line with the kind of triumph that makes you want to cheer louder.
Then came the Spud Dash, a furious flurry of paddles and laughter.
Jamie Lowery claimed first place, propelling her spud with fearless speed and unshakable style. Every stroke radiated confidence, every splash a declaration: she was born to dash.
Karen Ballew, taking second place, matched that heroic energy, cutting through the water with grace, precision, and unstoppable flair. She left a wake of admiration and laughter in her path.
Traci Guinn, earning third place, commanded her spud with daring, power, and river magic. She crossed the finish line triumphant, radiant, and unmistakably a legend of EddieFest — proving that even the wildest dash can be conquered with style.
With Kathy Martin and Tara Miller rounding out the race in true EddieFest fashion — laughing, splashing, and crossing the finish line to cheers that drowned out the river, all grinning like kids on Christmas morning.
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💦 The Spirit of EddieFest
When the paddles finally rested and the sun dipped low, it wasn’t about times or trophies — it was about community, courage, and that wild, joyful love of the river and family. From seasoned racers to spud-slinging newcomers, everyone left with a story and a smile (and probably some sand in their shoes).
Here’s to the legends — old and new — who made EddieFest 2025 one for the books.
If you listen closely you can already hear Eddie and the River whispering in the wind about next year… 🌊💙 until next time
