2025 Blackburn Challenge: Sixth Sense by Greg Lesher

Thursday, July 24, 2025, Full Tilt
Blackburn Challenge: Sixth Sense

The Cape Ann Rowing Club restored the Blackburn Challenge course to its traditional 19.5 mile incarnation for 2025. The results of last year’s experimental choose-your-own-adventure race were catastrophic. While undeniably capturing the spirit (and length, in some cases) of Howard Blackburn’s epic voyage, our collective navigational abilities were found wanting in the foggy waters off Cape Ann. A half-dozen paddlers never returned, although some say that if you listened carefully, you could hear their spectral voices wafting through the mist (“Hey! Stop auctioning off our stuff! We’re up here on the Beauport Hotel deck having mimosas!”). Three unfortunate competitors were so traumatized by their maritime experience in the void that they joined an ashram in Iowa. I hadn’t fared too badly, but was shaken enough by the experience to finally commit the complex circumnavigation to memory.

Mary Beth and Jean posting a very satisfying 3:07 in their double.

Last year’s top trio of Ian Black, Ed Joy, and Rob Jehn would be returning, despite my aggressive lobbying to institute podium term limits. Together with veteran Craig Impens (who I’m not sure is a literal veteran, but has definitely knifed some people in close combat), these guys already had 11 Blackburn championships between them, for pity’s sake. While I’ve also finished in the money a few times myself, I’d never achieved the kind of shiny success you can sink your teeth into. Plus I’d qualify for a local boy exemption. Clamoring to take a step up would be fellow Bay Stater Eli Gallaudet, who in just 2.5 years of paddling has made the dizzying transformation from up-and-comer to son-of-a-bitch. I’d normally include John Hair in the contender list, but his non-stop litany of excuses eventually convinced me that he genuinely wasn’t in fighting shape. He’s carrying those extra 130 pounds well, though. And the two glass eyes? Barely noticeable.