SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Would you be able to finish “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race”?
On Friday, dozens of canoes gathered in San Marcos to begin a more than 260-mile canoe race that ends in Sea Drift, Texas that’s called the Texas Water Safari.
The race starts in Spring Lake where all the canoes line up and squeeze in. Racers then make their way down the San Marcos River, then the Guadalupe River and finally they paddle through San Antonio Bay on the Texas Coast.
Veteran racer Virginia Parker has the the record for fastest solo woman to complete the race.
Parker said recent rains are great for the Edward’s Aquifer, but it can make the course a little more challenging.
Teams have to make their way around dams and downed trees. They also have to watch out for for other dangers, like poisonous snakes, spiders and even alligators.
The first official race was held in 1963, and since then the event has continued to grow.
Teams are made up of single paddlers or up to a team of six people in a canoe.
The primary requirement is a boat powered only by people and racers must take all equipment needed with them — receiving only water, ice and food along the way.
Competitors have 100 hours to paddle from San Marcos to the Texas coast. Some teams finish the race in under two days, with many not sleeping along the way.
There is no prize money for the winners, just bragging rights.
You can track the racers and learn more about the TWS here.
This is a developing story and KXAN will add more after the story airs at 10