Advertisement

Top O' Michigan Outboard Marathon Nationals returns for 75th year

drew kochanny, the petoskey news-review
·4 min read
2

INDIAN RIVER — Things are about to get quite busy once again across area lakes and the Inland Waterway come Saturday and Sunday.

Now celebrating its 75th year, the annual Top O’ Michigan Marathon Nationals outboard boat race makes its return for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13.

The nations best and a large collection of locals will take to 87 miles through Crooked Lake, Burt Lake and Mullett Lake, while navigating the Indian River, Cheboygan River and Crooked River.

A purse of more than $8,500 will be awarded to winners and top finishers, with national champions crowned during what’s claimed to be, ‘the worlds toughest outboard marathon.’

The annual Top O' Michigan Outboard Marathon Nationals boat race will return for the 75th year this weekend, with national championships on the line and winners crowned across multiple classes. The race will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13.
The annual Top O' Michigan Outboard Marathon Nationals boat race will return for the 75th year this weekend, with national championships on the line and winners crowned across multiple classes. The race will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13.

It says a lot about the race that it’s spanned more than seven decades and Top O’ Michigan Outboard Racing Club Commodore Samantha Fairbairn couldn’t be happier to have it return again.

“It’s thrilling,” said Fairbairn. “For a race to be going on this long is a huge accomplishment. It has changed so much throughout the years, from the time of year it’s ran, the course, the starting point, even the boat styles have changed, but it has always been an annual tradition in Northern Michigan. As a fellow racer said, ’It’s a Northern Michigan national holiday.’”

Subscribe: Check out our offers and never miss out on the local sports and teams you follow 

Fairbairn has been in the role of commodore for three years now, while serving as vice commodore before.

The race has been a family event for decades for Fairbairn, with her father, Tom, serving as Race Director, and both her uncle, Paul, and cousin, Chase, longtime racers.

Samantha Fairbairn herself has found more than just a little success on the water in her 12 years competing, with a 2022 victory in her 44M boat in the 15SSR class the most recent highlight. She also owns recent victories in 2019 and 2017 as well.

The Fairbairns aren’t the only locals making waves, however, as recent winners of the CSR class make their way back, including Indian River native Dustin Pearson and Harbor Springs’ Peter Lauer, who owns wins over the last decade in the ASR, 25SSR and 15SSR classes.

With wins across multiple classes over the last handful of years, Alanson's Fred Hollerback will enter the weekend one of the favorites in the 25SSR class.
With wins across multiple classes over the last handful of years, Alanson's Fred Hollerback will enter the weekend one of the favorites in the 25SSR class.

The CSR class also includes locals Spencer Hamlin of Indian River, Carp Lake’s Paul Tieke and Jamison and Garin Janicki of Harbor Springs.

“Many other locals in the CSR class show up every year looking for a better place than the year before, but it’s not easy,” said Fairbairn. “We’re predicting almost 45 to 50 CSR’s this year.”

Around the other classes, Fred Hollerback of Alanson, who has claimed recent wins across the 25SSR and DSR classes, will race 25SSR in 2023. As will Justin Giegler of Indian River and Tom Loomis of Brutus. Brent Johnson of Cheboygan and Lynne Pearson of Harbor Springs are also ones to watch.

Within the DSR Class, a family feud once again awaits, as cousins Dan and Josh Pearson battle for the title. Josh has taken the last two titles in his 95M boat, with Dan winning in his 89M in 2020. They’ll both have to hold off Harbor Springs’ Luke Bosker, however.

Storylines abound, it’s what has made the race a favorite for many around Northern Michigan to watch since it began in 1949.

Indian River's Justin Giegler will make his return to the 25SSR class during the 2023 Marathon Nationals this upcoming weekend.
Indian River's Justin Giegler will make his return to the 25SSR class during the 2023 Marathon Nationals this upcoming weekend.

Racers begin and end each day at Burt Lake’s Devoe Beach in Indian River, one of the top viewing areas for fans. There’s also plenty of other locations to take in the race.

“Anywhere public along the Indian River, Cheboygan River and Crooked River is ideal,” said Fairbairn. “You will see a lot of consistent action there. Crooked Lake sandbar on Sunday and the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Saturday are a couple of my favorite spots.”

The race will begin at Noon on both days, with all three rivers closing to public boats at 11 a.m. each day, before opening back up at 2 p.m. A law enforcement sweep will take place at the time of closing.

A complete map of the course and layout of the race can also be found online at tomorc.org, where more information can also be found about the race.

Spectators can also purchase merchandise each day at DeVoe Beach, including apparel, glasses, koozies, stickers and more.

Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Top O' Michigan Outboard Marathon Nationals boat race returns for 75th year