Jacksonville-sanford race

[kb5050]

In the early 80's Bill Critchfield told me about a race from Jax to Sanford fl. down the St Johns river... maybe early 60's 50's?? any info?

[PARKER RABE]

Man wouldnt that be fun

[oldschoolltv]

Jim didnt you win one of those?, Matt

[oldschoolltv]

It is a shame you could never do that race again with all the tree hugging wacko's out there, Matt

[rbodine]

How far is that? I have often thought about making a two or three day trip up the St Johns from I-4 to Jax, then down the Halifax to my home in Port Orange. I have wondered how long that would take me..

[kb5050]

I think Bill said they had refueling boats in route. how cool.. I remember the marathon that ran downtown Jax. The first tunnel boats showed up and dominated. My dad was running a flatbottom and was amazed how fast the outboards were in the rough water

[seeroy]

approx. 135mi each way. The trip you discribe has been done many times. back in the 50's and 60's there were a lot of weekend trips organized by local boat clubs. The trip you discribe was on a long weekend like Labor Day. Seems like it may have been The Seminole Indian Cruise, or The Silver Dollar Cruise.

Good Morning Jim - My brother ran the "Saint Johns River Marathon" at least once. I have no idea how he did. I believe that is the name of the race being talked about. Best Regards - Steve Sirois

[Speedfab]

If it's the same thing I'm thinking about, my dad almost won it in 1960. Does this look like the ones from the race you're talking about, Mr. Hunt?

http://www.speedfab.net/gallery/images/Jaxmarathon.jpg

[Speedfab]

Ah, OK. I think that event was just called the Gator Bowl Marathon because it started and ended near the Gator Bowl itself (closer to behind the Duval County courthouse, really). I thought they had told me that this particular race was to Palatka and back, but I could be wrong. Somewhere I have an old 8mm movie of the start and finish, and some pictures of dad's Jav-Cat with Mk 78s... I'd give just about anything to have that boat. :)

[Speedfab]

As far as numbers, I'll have to find the pictures to see. You're right about Bob Terry though, and I do know he won the first one in 1959 overall. My father and Mr. Terry were good friends. I have a newspaper clipping of that somewhere as well, at least I hope I still do.