And they’re off: Paddlers start Missouri River race

About 600 paddlers floated eastward down the Missouri River headed for St. Louis early Tuesday morning in the start of the Missouri 340 race.

The racers will paddle 340 miles across the state – from Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas, to St. Charles, Mo. The race supports water preservation.

Participants get 88 hours to get across Missouri to St. Charles. Organizers say only about two-thirds of the racers are expected to finish.

This story was originally published July 28, 2015 at 7:30 AM with the headline "And they’re off: Paddlers start Missouri River race."