For almost a decade Excelsior Springs citizen, Gary Sanson has been competing each year in the grueling Missouri River 340 (MR340), a kayak endurance race that traverses the Missouri River, 340 miles, from Kansas City to St. Charles, MO. This year’s race was Sanson’s “farewell tour” as he’s decided to hang up his paddles. According to social media posts made by his ground crew Sanson finished 6th in the Men’s Solo category with a time of 47 hours and 17 minutes and 18th overall out of approximately 500 competitors. The race is a real family affair as it takes a whole team of helpers to track and keep Gary going. The ground crew met Sanson at each checkpoint with food and supplies as well as to cheer him on and check his mental and physical wellbeing. Sanson thanked his support team in a social media post saying:
Hard to find the right words to give credit where it’s due to my Ground Crew. This would not have been possible without them. My family has been rock solid every year supporting me in this race. I know committing to this race is huge. They have planned their schedules every year to make it happen, no complaints. This year to have my own cheerleaders, well it doesn’t get any better than that! I love you all and will be the first in line to be a member of your “Ground Crew”when the time comes!
– Gary Sanson
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