KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Over Labor Day weekend, the lakes around Missouri are filled with people enjoying the water. Joe Mann is no different, but spends his boat time cruising along the Missouri River in one of the most grueling water sports on the planet.
The MR340 is the longest continuous paddle race in North America, taking participants through checkpoints on a course that winds along the Missouri River nearly the entire width of the state. The course runs from Kansas City to St. Charles, Missouri.
Mann has been competing in the race for ten years, but this year, he and teammate Dylan McHardy took the crown.
"Every year I've improved... So after three times being second overall, this year we finally did it," said Mann.
It's the first time in the race's twelve years that Missouri natives have won the race.
See our interview with Mann in the video player at the top of this page.
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