GRAYLING / JACKSON – Consumers Energy received one of television’s highest honors when its docuseries “Au Sable” won the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary at the Michigan chapter’s annual awards presentation June 15.
The three-part series, which aired on YouTube and local public access stations, highlighted the history of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon and the meaning it holds for the community.
Consumers Energy has long been a primary sponsor of the event, and the docuseries was filmed and edited by two Consumers Energy coworkers — Justin Garant and Darren Clevenger-Grimsley — and hosted by famed sportscaster George Blaha.
“There are few opportunities for us to support an event that touches as many aspects of the community as the AuSable River Canoe Marathon,” said Angela Thompkins, chief diversity officer and vice president of community affairs for Consumers Energy. “Not only does it provide us an opportunity to showcase Michigan’s beauty on an international stage, but it consistently provides an incredible economic boost for the region and brings people from all backgrounds together.
“We are incredibly proud of the work Darren, Justin and the entire docuseries team from Consumers Energy and the AuSable River Canoe Marathon did to highlight how important this race is to Michigan, and grateful for the recognition of that work.”
Members of the Consumers Energy and AuSable River Canoe Marathon who made the docuseries possible include:
Consumers Energy
- Justin Garant
- Darren Clevenger-Grimsley
- Brian Preuss
- Tom Lambert
- Rich Castle
AuSable River Canoe Marathon
- Phil Weiler
- Steve Southard
- Kate Reitz
- Kathy Erickson
- Ryan Matthews
The AuSable River Canoe Marathon has been a staple of the northern Michigan community for 76 years. The 120-mile non-stop overnight canoe race hosted the last weekend in July starts Saturday night in Grayling, with two-person teams making a LeMans-style run to the river with their canoes, and ends 14 to 19 hours later in Oscoda on Sunday.
The Marathon is the middle leg of marathon canoe racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, and brings thousands of fands and competitors to the state each year.
“The positive feedback from our fans about the ‘Au Sable’ documentary has been overwhelming,” said Au Sable River Canoe Marathon spokesperson Phil Weiler. “We are now less than forty days away from the 76th edition of this world class event, that attracts the top marathon canoe racers from throughout the world.
“All of us connected to the Marathon are grateful to the Consumers Energy team for creating this outstanding look at one of the greatest races on earth.”
Consumers Energy has been a sponsor of the marathon for 12 years, and among many annual components of the sponsorship, hosts a free pancake breakfast for spectators and community members in Oscoda every Sunday morning as crowds wait for marathoners to cross the finish line.
The docuseries beat out pieces from Bally Sports and the Detroit Lions to take home the trophy. The Consumers Energy 76th AuSable River Canoe Marathon is July 27-28 this year. For more information visit www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.
