Third Time's the Charm! Support Jonathan's MR340 Dream.

Dear friends, family and and river lovers, Jonathan Wiley here.

This summer, July 8th, I’m returning for my third attempt at the MR340, one of the world’s most demanding and inspiring river races. I need your help to get there!

The MR340 is a 340-mile, nonstop race down the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Charles, Missouri. Solo racers like me have just 86 hours to finish. All the while, we must stay ahead of the Reaper, the pace boat which sweeps slow racers off the course if they don’t make each checkpoint in time.

I’ll be racing in Wa.no.na, my 18.5-foot beaver aluminum canoe, named after my late grandmother. While her memory glides with me, this journey is about pushing my limits, discovering what I’m really capable of, with the resilience I’ve built, the support of my community, and a sense of those loved ones watching from the other side.

I first learned about the MR340 in 2020, when I rowed the entire Missouri River from Three Forks, Montana, to the St. Louis Arch (over 2,300 miles) in an Angus Rowboats expedition rowing shell I built from plans. That trip changed me and I told myself "I'll be back to race that one day".

And I did. Thanks to my wonderful community who supported my grand endeavors.

Over the past two years, I’ve competed in the solo rowing division, placing second both times. In 2024, I completed the course in 68 hours and 52 minutes, and this year I’m training hard to shatter that PR and find my spot on the podium.

My race number is #1909, and you can follow my progress in real-time using the official race tracking app, RaceOwl.

Why I Need Your Help!

Traveling all the way from Hot Springs, South Dakota with my gear and ground crew takes a lot. A lot in effort, and in resources. Your support will help cover:

-Travel (2000+ miles round trip) – gas

-7 days of meals

-One night in a hotel if needed

-Race entry donation ($275) – which supports Missouri River Relief, an incredible organization dedicated to education, connection and preservation of the lower Missouri River

-Finally, buffer for unexpected expenses

This isn’t just about a race, it’s about resilience, growth, community and connection. Every dollar brings me one stroke closer to the starting line and one heartbeat closer to my goal.

Thank you for cheering me on, donating if you can, and sharing this with your circle. It all makes a difference and means so much to me.

SYOTR