9th annual 'Great River Race' takes over the Mississippi River in St. Paul

Updated: September 14, 2019 10:51 PM

The "Great River Race" returned for the ninth annual Paddle on the Mississippi River to raise money for Wilderness Inquiry, an the organization which helps students explore the outdoors through an education program.

With 29 canoes and hundreds of people on the Mississippi River at the Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul, the organization raised over $100,000.

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"Perfect weather," said Greg Lais, who is the executive director for Wilderness Inquiry, "This is proof that someone wants to do this. So, great weather today."

The program reaches more than 18,000 kids annually around the country by mentoring students and also getting them to enjoy the great outdoors.

The event even drew the attention of the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis who came out to show support.

"When you have hundreds of different people that are rallying around a common cause, which is our kids, our young people and the environment, it's a beautiful thing," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

More information about the race is available at the link here.