The Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile Race is now approximately one month away. The popular endurance race, held annually in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is set for February 27, 2010.



This will be the sixth running of the “World’s Longest Continuous PWC Race,” run by co-promoters Jim Russell of DSM Events and Executive Producer Mike Follmer. Over 65 two-rider teams are expected to compete in the 2010 version, including international competitors. As always, a few select solo riders will contest all 300 miles alone, attacking the race “Ironman-style.”


As if 300 miles of varying water and weather conditions is not enough, competitors in the Hahn Memorial are also forced to negotiate pit stops along the beach to carefully refuel and make rider changes. Six different classes compete on the water simultaneously, with all racers competing for the overall crown. At the conclusion of the race, each class winning team will be crowned the APBA National Team Endurance Champion for their respective class.


People aren’t the only winners. In recent years, the race has rewarded bragging rights to the manufacturer of the winning boat. Lately that battle has boiled down to the Kawasaki Ultra 250X and Sea-Doo RXP-X, although Sea-Doo’s new RXT-X is expected to make its presence felt in 2010, as is Yamaha’s FZ.


“We’re gearing up to make 2010 event outshine what we did in 2009,” says Follmer, “by getting more giveaways and even better trophies for the massive awards banquet at the Aquatic center that will far surpass what we did in 09. We have on-the-water still photography and magazine coverage to chronicle the event for the riders.”


For those not familiar with the event, the race is held in memory of endurance racer Mark Hahn, who was instrumental in pushing endurance racing across the country before an untimely death in 2004 while competing in a race.


Over the years, champions have included Follmer and Billy Womack in 2005, Steve Friebe and Matt Legerski in 2006, John Belton and Tracy Malan in 2007, Andy Wise and Bobby Hall in 2008, and Robert Carreon and Mark Gerner in 2009. Ironman winners have included Craig Warner in ‘07, Gerner in ‘08, and Shawn Alladio in 2009.


For more information on the race, or to enter, check out www.pwcfun/markhahn300.asp, www.pwctoday.com, www.apbaracing.com, or www.pwcoffshore.com.


Written by: Jeff Hemmel
Jeff Hemmel writes for boats.com, Boating, PersonalWatercraft.com, and Powersports Business. The former Senior Editor at Watercraft World, Jeff is a multi-time award winner as well as a 2008 inductee into the IJSBA Hall of Fame. His first book, "The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon...and 101 Other Things For Young Mariners To Try, Do, & Build On the Water," received a bronze medal in the 2010 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.