Here's the contents of the second email sent to race participants on 10/2/26.
You should have received our first Dispatch earlier this week (or this morning if you registered on Wednesday).
PLEASE READ THAT! It includes a lot of important information that is not included in this email. If you can't find the email, you can read the Dispatches on our News & Updates feed here - racetothedome.org/news-and-updates/
TOMORROW - October 3th is the 17th Annual Race to the Dome.
If you are getting this email, you registered for the race.
Thanks to very generous donations from Rusty Drewing Automotive, Broadway Brewery, Cooper's Landing, GovWatch, Logboat Brewing, St. James Winery, Evora Women's Health, RiverSounds Campground and JC Parks, all of the proceeds from your race entries go to support Missouri River Relief, who has been organizing Missouri River clean-ups and education for 20 years. Check out our work at www.riverrelief.org.
The following weekend, Saturday, October 10, Missouri River Relief will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary working on the Missouri River. Everyone is invited! From 2-6pm at Cooper's Landing. Find out more here.
Please take a moment to fill out our online risk release waiver. If you did it this week already, there's no need to do it again. Just takes a few minutes and it will save us LOTS of time at Registration on Race Day - bit.ly/2026dome-waiver
The email included your Racer Information. Check that email and email steve@riverrelief.org if any changes need to be made.
Also, check the roster online to make sure everything looks correct. There is a separate roster for Hartsburg and Providence, and they are searchable.
Weather and River Conditions UPDATE
The rain is out of our area, and things will start drying out on land. But there was a TON of rain upstream in the Missouri River Basin, and that's all headed our way.
Here in mid-Missouri the river has started to rise and will continue to rise. You'll likely see alerts about Missouri River flooding in the area, but the extreme high levels will not hit mid-Missouri until Sunday. We've got a good window to make this race happen safely on Saturday.
The river will be rising during the race, and it is likely that there will be increased driftwood, debris and flotsam on the river. This will make things more challenging, but because of the timing and location of the rain that feel we believe the river will be safe for this race. We'll be monitoring things Saturday morning of course and it's possible the plan will change. We don't think that's likely.
From your perspective, you'll see increased turbulence on the river, but nothing extreme or dangerous. It will keep things interesting. Most of the wing dikes will likely be underwater but some may be just below the surface. Underwater dikes can still create interesting eddies and turbulence, so staying in the channel or the middle of the river will be your best bet.
Driftwood and increased flow may make the Hartsburg Race Start challenging and we may need to adapt our starting strategy to fit the conditions. Listen to the Safety Meeting for updates. Below I'll share our current Heat Schedule so you know when to plan on getting your boat in the water.
For the Providence Race, driftwood may be swirling at the mouth of Perche Creek. Take care entering the Missouri River there...pick your spot and paddle through it. Give other racers plenty of room.
The river forecast released Thursday night shows the river rising several feet during the race (from 13-15 feet on the Jefferson City gage). This may change a bit when today's forecast is released. Here's where you can see the Jefferson City forecast (which is generally updated by 10 am each day...more often during flood events). You need to view this interactive graph in landscape mode on a phone. This link will show you a static view.
If you are really interested in more data and detail on river conditions, check out Missouri River Relief's resource here.
Here's the forecast released Thursday night:
Morning fog is a possibility. If heavy fog is present, race starts will be delayed in 15 min increments until clear. Temps are a chilly 50 degrees in the morning (will feel colder on the river)
Water temps are around 71 degrees, which can get cold if you do end up submerged. Having a dry bag with extra clothes is advised.
For the Hartsburg Race, there are still a bunch of shuttle spots available.
It's only $5 per person!
That link includes how the shuttle works, but basically you drop your boat at Hartsburg, then drive to the finish line at Noren Access, then hop on the shuttle bus back to Hartsburg. That way your vehicle is waiting for you at the finish!
There is no shuttle available for the Providence Race.
Here's the race start structure we are going to use. It's possible we will have to adjust these at Hartsburg due to river conditions. Listen at the Safety Meeting for any changes.
Heat 1 (9:00 a.m.)
All solo boats (39 boats)
Heat 2 (9:30 a.m.)
All multiple racer boats (20 boats)
Heat 1 (9:00 a.m.)
Both solo K-classes (39 boats)
Heat 2 (9:30 a.m.)
All other divisions (36 boats)
The Location page on our website has directions to everything, including Google Maps Links.
You can also download a PDF of those directions here.
This document provides directions to each ramp and from each ramp to the finish line. Note for Hartsburg- these directions take you through Ashland and Wilton to avoid driving through Hartsburg which can be more confusing. But you should stop by charming Hartsburg when you get a chance later. This weekend they're getting ready for their biggest weekend of the year, the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival which is next weekend.
I look forward to seeing you Saturday! If you have any questions, please email me at: steve@riverrelief.org
Your Race Director,
Steve Schnarr
573-289-2077
steve@riverrelief.org
This event is an important fundraiser for Missouri River Relief. It would not be possible without our very generous sponsors.
