Race for the Lake enjoys another successful weekend of boat racing fun, activities

He was the first sponsor three years ago when organizers began planning the return of boat races to Lake Decatur. His support led them to call the races the Hardy’s Race for the Lake.

However, Hardy knows the sport isn’t just about the 1.25 mile course in the center of Lake Decatur. “It’s the people and getting together in Decatur,” he said. “But the boats are pretty exciting.”

Lake Decatur was surrounded by visitors from around the country, including racers, spectators and fans, watching the boat races this past weekend.

Just like he did decades ago, Hardy watched the boat races take place. But instead of hanging out at a nearby friend's house, he sat with friends and family on the Beach House deck. “They had bands and carnivals back then,” he said.

Hardy had the opportunity to meet all of this year’s boaters. “They love it here,” he said. “They think this is the best one that they go to.”

Decatur was a hot spot for activities this weekend.

“Now is the time to be in Macon County,” said Tonya Culp, executive director of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Boat racers arrived from both sides of the country to take part in the Hardy’s Race for the Lake. Other activities that brought people to the area included the Macon County Fair, the summer shows at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater and the Officer Chris Oberheim Baseball Memorial Tournament in Forsyth.

The fun continues this week with the Illinois Women’s Pro Tennis Championships in Fairview Park.

“There is so much to do in our area,” Culp said. “You could vacation here and have so much to do and see.”

According to Culp, the events help the businesses, including the food trucks and art vendors. “It’s a great way to showcase Decatur,” she said. “Bringing people into your community isn’t just for that one event.”

Lauren Ford took care of customers ordering coffee and other beverages at Rockwell Coffee Company truck. Visitors from Maine to Arizona kept the crew busy. “It’s been good,” she said. “We just talk about how their weekend’s been.”

Throughout the weekend, organizers watched the weather forecast. “We can race in a little bit of rain,” said Nikki Furlott, race chairman. “We don’t want thunder or lightning.”

According to the organizers, as well as the racers, the ideal wind speed is less than 12 miles per hour. The weekend's weather cooperated with the racers with no delays.

The organizers prefer no wind, according to Sean Bowsher, race director. Smooth as glass isn’t ideal either. “But we make chop,” he said about the water waves. “One lap, and the water’s rough.”

Even after she retired, Teri Hammel, former Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, can’t stay away from the lake during race weekend. “This is kind of like my baby,” she said.

The races on Lake Decatur more than 30 years ago were important to the city as well as for Hammel. “I love this event,” she said. “I like to come back and visit all the racers that I’ve made relationships with over the last couple of years.”

Hammel now volunteers at the race, and is a member of the race committee. “I’m a long-running boat race lover,” she said.

Seventeen-year-old Katie Brown has been racing boats for more than seven years. “It’s in my blood,” the Washington state native said.

Her father, grandfather, and great-uncles raced as well. Katie and her sister also have participated in horse shows. “But I stuck with boat racing,” Katie said.

The Brown family returned to Decatur after racing in the 2025 Race for the Lake. “It was so much fun,” Katie said. “The course is huge. It’s identical to one of the courses we run back in Washington.”

Her father, Kip Brown, understands the love of the sport. “It’s all I ever knew; it’s all I ever cared about; it’s all I ever wanted to do,” he said.

His priorities have changed since then. “Now the most important thing is making sure Katie has fun,” Brown said. “I want her to be safe, I want her to be competitive, and I want her to have fun. If she can do all three of those, then that’s a victory. It doesn’t make any difference what the trophy says.”

Safety was also important to the local first responders surrounding the lake.

The Decatur Fire Department assisted with dive rescues.

“Fortunately there were no incidents at the event. So that worked out great,” said Justin Kraus, battalion chief. “It made for an easy weekend.”

Kraus admits the crew had the best seats. “It was a good time watching the race,” he said.

Ryan Huffer, communications coordinator for the city of Decatur, heard positive reactions from the racers. “They really enjoy Lake Decatur,” he said. “I had one at the end (of the event) say they can’t wait for next year. They’re going to bring five more boats.”

Bowsher takes care of everything related to the water. Clay Gerhard, executive director for the Decatur Park District, is in charge of the land activities.

Approximately 150 volunteers and first responders, including dive teams, ambulance, and lake patrol officers, were needed to make sure the event was successful. “It takes so many people to pull off a race like this,” Gerhard said.

The park district focused on family activities. Approximately 50 arts and crafts vendors and 17 food trucks were parked in the lakefront parking lot. The Beach House was opened for business as well.

“We like to say ‘we bring the fun’,” Gerhard said. “We’re going to try and continue the boat races as long as the community supports it.”