COLTON -- Thirty boats participated in the four and one-mile races at the 18th Annual ’Round the Islands Canoe Race Saturday in the Raquette River at Higley Flow.

Best finish of the day was posted by Jeff Kelly, from the Plattsburgh area. He was closely followed by Higley Association member Jim Plumley. Both men are veteran paddlers; Spencer and Marly Bartkus won the two divisions of the fledgling race.

The races features three special awards: Veteran Paddler, Youth, and Woman Paddler.

The Veteran Paddler Award went to Ron Morrow, a summer Higlian, who paddled in the medium length kayak division, besting the rest of the paddlers in his event by 20 minutes. This award is presented to the male or female paddler over 60 years of age posting the best finish by place in his or her class. This award is presented by the Palmer family in memory of C.M. Palmer, long time Higley resident, and avid paddler, who shared with several generations his love of the sport and the area.

The Phyllis Baker Award, presented to the youth paddler demonstrating paddling excellence and good sportsmanship, went to Marly Bartkus.

The Chris Murphy Memorial Award, presented to the woman best demonstrating the passion for the sport and sportsmanship, went to Rosie Bartholomew, active Higley Association member, and a ’Round the Islands contestant for years. Chris Murphy was the heart and soul of the event through all her paddling years, always cheering others on while quietly, consistently posting top finishing times herself.

The ’Round the Islands Recreational Canoe Race is sponsored by the Higley Association.

RESULTS

The top paddlers of the day were:

• Unlimited:

Anthony Tramontana 39:33, first place

• Youth Canoe:

Cole Tamburri, Clay Tamburri, 52:51, first place

• Women Medium Kayak:

Becky Bartkus 50:56, first

Rosie Bartholomew 65:45, second

Mary Lannis 65:59, third

• Men's Medium Kayak

Ron Morrow 44:50, first

Dan Hubert 65:30, second

John Bartholomew 66:30, third

• Mixed Long Canoe:

Jim Bickford, Janet Bickford, 48:25, first

• Youth Kayak:

Allison Bickford, 53:41, first

Chantel Rose, 57:21, second

• Women's Short Kayak:

Avery Marzula, 50:25, first

Erin Bromley, 55:10, second

Sue Maston, 66:17, third

• Fledgling -10 yrs.:

Spencer Bartkus, 13:14, first

Kelly Bloom, 13:48, second

Emma Bloom, 13:49, third

• Fledgling -14 yrs.:

Marley Bartkus, 10:44 first

Katelin Bloom, 11:24 second

Daphne Bartkus, 13:30 third

• Men's Long Kayak

rotomolded

Greg Nye-Smith, 46,55, first

Eric Hewitson, 48:20, second

Guy Lannis, 65:10, third

composite

Jeff Kelly, 38:52, first

Jim Plumley, 39:17, second

• Men's Short Kayak

Michael Bloom, 42:01, first

Kevin Pentalow, 62:20, second

Gerry Maston, 66:10, third