INDIAN RIVER Unprecedented times have seemingly become the norm.From a pandemic and shutdowns, to a once in a lifetime ice storm and the recent spring floods that brought on a state of emergency and left many in Northern Michigan again dealing with loss. The recent regional flooding hit the lakes and rivers of the Inland Waterway notably hard, stretching from Crooked Lake to the Cheboygan River, while leaving something like the annual Top OMichigan Marathon Nationals in doubt.But, to the delight of competitors and fans, the race will go on.The 78th annual Top O'Michigan Marathon Nationals outboard boat race will return to the Inland Waterway this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9.After a private event starts things off on Friday, Aug. 7 in Indian River, the race begins at noon on both Saturday and Sunday, with spectators welcome throughout the race.Popular locations for viewing include the Green Docks in Indian River, from the race pits at DeVoe Beach in Indian River, the Alanson swing bridge and the M-27 bridge in downtown Indian River. Kochanny: Summer days for athletes thinning, so make the most of what's left | KochannySaturdays 45-mile race will begin at noon at DeVoe Beach in Indian River, run to a buoy in Burt Lake and through the Indian River into Mullett Lake. From Mullett, racers head through the Cheboygan River to a buoy, then back through the same course to a finish through the Indian River.On Sunday, a 42-mile course will again begin at noon at DeVoe Beach, sending racers through Burt Lake, into the Crooked River and around Crooked Lake, then back through the course to Mullett Lake, before finishing in the Indian River once again.The 2026 race will feature seven different classes, which include the JSR, ASR, 15SSR BSR, 25SSR, CSR and DSR. The CSR and 25SSR are the largest classes, each with more than 20 competitors signed up for the 2026 event. One competitor to keep an eye on within the CSR class will be Harbor Springs native Chase Fairbairn, who secured a rare three-peat within the class last year. Fairbairn is back competing once again and has a shot at a fourth consecutive victory.David Woodle Jr. of Groton, Mass. will try for the three-peat within the ASR class in 2026. He was one of two East Coast natives to earn victories last year.Carson Fierek of DeTour has also taken two of the last three JSR class titles, with his father, Dustin, one to watch within the 25SSR class. Dustin earned five consecutive titles within the 25SSR class from 2019 to 2023.Greatest Male Athletes: 41 of the greatest high school male athletes from Northern MichiganGreatest Female Athletes: The 34 greatest female high school athletes from Northern MichiganAnother to keep an eye on within the 25SSR class includes Davisburgs James Klein, who took the class victory last year. He also owns a recent 15SSR title.Others with recent wins to follow include Harbor Springs Luke Bosker within the DSR class, along with Alansons Fred Hollerback and Indian Rivers Josh Pearson. Tim Ross within the CSR class also own multiple recent victories and is back once again.A year after many of the competitors raced with heavy hearts after the loss of longtime racer Dustin Pearson, the passings of longtime racers Gene Greenacre and Bryan Lauer will also be on the minds of many in 2026.Lauer, a Harbor Springs native, was a competitor in the event since the early 1990s, a Top O Michigan club member and race committee member. Lauer also owned multiple XClass and Outlaw inflatable victories in his years of racing. Greenacre, a 41-year member of the Alanson Fire Department, was a longtime racer and earned three BSR class victories.High School Football Conferences: Northern Michigan high school football conferences get another shakeupThe Top O Michigan Outboard Racing Club, which began in 1949, is made up of five board members, which includes Sarah Bek (Treasurer), Peter Lauer (Vice Commodore), Dan Pearson (Associate Member), Brittany Woodthorp (Secretary) and Samantha Fairbairn (Commodore).Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochannyand Instagram @drewkochannyThis article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Championship streaks on the line as 78th annual Marathon Nationals returns