Written by Stephen Ondich
“There are two types of people,” says Dave Parsons, the James
Naismith of codfish racing, “those who enter greased codfish
relay races, and those who smell good.” I count myself among the
former. And so, having baited two friends and a stranger into
joining me, I find myself in Milbridge, Maine.
source: The Sweet Smell of Victory: It’s Not Easy to Win the Annual Greased Codfish Relay Race in Milbridge, Maine. Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated Covers Milbridge
In July of 1996, Sports Illustrated sent staff writer John Walters to Milbridge, Maine. John came to cover the coastal town’s 12th annual Codfish Relay Race. The relay race is an annual event coinciding with the Milbridge Days Festival.
Perhaps one of Maine’s strangest competitions is Milbridge’s annual Codfish Relay Race. The race features teams of both kids and adults competing to clock the fastest time.
The goal is carrying a deceased codfish across the finish line ahead of the other teams. Contestants wear either bathing suits or rain slickers. It can be a messy event in the hot July sun.
Kids and adults compete pretty intensely. Codfish racing is serious business.
One can argue that sports journalists shouldn’t get too close to the people they cover. Otherwise, can they really be objective?
John took his coverage a step or two further.
Not satisfied to cover & observe from the sidelines, John assembled a crack team of college friends and media associates to enter the race.
Despite being Codfish Relay rookies (and “from away”), they took first place. For the record, the Sports Illustrated team competed in the adult division, not against the kids.
23 years later, John shares his memories of covering both the 1996 Codfish Relay Race and Milbridge with Maineterrain.com.
Codfish Relay Race in Milbridge, Maine
Location
Milbridge, Maine is 43.2 miles from Acadia National Park.
John Walters
Location
John Walters of New York City is 498 miles from Acadia National Park.
The Sports Illustrated Assignment
Maineterrain.com: How did the Codfish assignment come about? I’m envisioning you being called into the office for summer assignments and thinking…College World Series, US Open, possibly even Wimbledon…
John: I saw a write-up about it in the New York Times. I really enjoyed the piece but I thought there might be a lot more there. Also, I loved the idea of traveling to the coast of Maine in July. I’d never been “Down East” before that. Only about an hour north of Portland, to a town I think is named Harpswell.
I pitched the assignment. My experience has always been, the less famous the athletes/event, the better the story.
Codfish Are Essential to the Race
Maineterrain.com: As a seasoned sports journalist, how important is cod to this spectacle? Would switching to a sleeker fish like Barracuda be akin to MLB’s evolution from the dead ball era?
John Walters: Cod is paramount. As I came to appreciate more from a story I wrote 20 years later, the fortunes of most people from Maine north to Newfoundland was largely dependent on the abundance of cod. It is the workingman’s fish.
Sports Illustrated Introduced John to Maine
Maineterrain.com: Prior to 1996, how familiar were you with either Milbridge or the Codfish Relay?
John Walters: My very first story at SI took me to the Carrabassett Ski Academy, which is in the interior of the state. Also, I believe it was earlier that summer, I had been to Hapswell, or Harpswell, to do one of my favorite all-time stories. I took a 96 year-old fan back to Fenway Park for his first game there since 1918. His name was Mal Clarke. I’ll never forget him. This, I think, was my third time in Maine. I remember it being a dreary day in mid-July (cool, foggy) as we drove up and seeing a sign outside a church or market where someone had arranged the letters to read “Where Is Summer?” I laughed. We only stayed until Monday morning because we had to get back, but we fully enjoyed ourselves.
Staying in Milbridge
Maineterrain.com: Where did you stay when you were in Milbridge?
John Walters: I remember we stayed at a small house. I think our photographer took care of arrangements.
The Making of a Codfish Relay Team
Maineterrain.com: How did you talk Jeff, Anda and Sheryl into participating? Are you still close to them?
John Walters: Jeff was my college roommate and a 4-year letterman in swimming. His wife lettered in tennis at a different school, in Ohio. Anda was Chris’ girlfriend. Chris was the photographer. Jeff and Sheryl lived in Boston, in Cambridge. Still do. She’s a rocket science prof at BU. Anyway, the idea was for Jeff and Sheryl just to join me for a fun weekend. I guess Chris had the same idea with Anda. We’d never met.
It was only that morning that the man who was sort of our guide (I wish I could remember his name; he’s mentioned in the piece) (Editor’s note: Dave Parsons) suggested that since we had four people, we should sign up. We laughed because we knew how much people had been practicing. But all four of us were in our 20s and all of us are pretty good athletes. I think Anda was on the Slovenian national ski team. We figured we’d at least not embarrass ourselves.
Jeff and his wife and I will be friends until we stop breathing. I have not talked to Chris forever but I know he went on to do some fantastic work during the Iraq War as a war photographer.
Promoting Milbridge Commerce
Maineterrain.com: Were any Milbridge locals particularly helpful in your coverage? Names?
John Walters: I wish I could remember the names of the locals. What stays with me is that when we were handed our $100 prize, the man who gave it to us suggested in a low but sinister voice, “Spend it all here.” We did.
Codfish Wear and Tear
Maineterrain.com: Assuming you are a fan of seafood, are you still haunted by the vision of race-end cod? Have you been able to enjoy cod since?
John Walters: Love cod more than ever. Am a big fan of seafood. The end of the race carnage did not haunt me.
Reassembling the Team for 2019 Codfish Relay
Maineterrain.com: Word on the street is that you’ll be in town for the 2019 Codfish Relay (The Codfather). Any truth to that rumor? Are you taking your slickers out of storage and participating in the 2019 race?
John Walters: I’ll do my best to return to Milbridge and bring at least part of the team. Like I said, I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful with names. That Saturday was a good day all around. Jeff and I ran the morning 10-K and I think I finished 3rd in my age group. Jeff went to the carnival, threw the balls at the milk bottles and won his wife the largest stuffed animal they had. Jeff, it should be noted, is 6’5″ and a superb all-around athlete. I have no doubt that if he had concentrated on it, he would’ve been a Division I football or soccer or volleyball player. As it was, he stuck to swimming.
About John Walters
John is the founder of New York-based media company MediumHappy.com.
In addition to his work with Sports Illustrated, John”s work can be seen in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, NBC Sports, Newsweek, The Independent, Yahoo Sport UK, The Athletic and more.
John describes the 1996 Milbridge Days Festival as “..one of the most fun weekends I’ve ever had…”
Although he possesses two Emmys for his work at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, he describes his 1996 Codfish Relay win as his “greatest sports triumph.”
2019 Codfish Relay Race, “The Codfather.”
Below is information on the 2019 Milbridge Days Codfish Relay Race :
- July 27, 2019
- 2:30-4:00 PM
- Milbridge Town Ballfield, Milbridge, Maine.
- For more info or to register, contact Paula Checker at 207-546-2047.
Please Note
John’s impromptu relay team won the 1996 event. In the 23 years since, his network of top tier athletes has certainly grown. With time to organize and train who knows what John’s 2019 team will do to the field.
Participants, bring your A-game!
Heidi
20 Apr 2019This is by far one of my favorite blog posts! I am pumped to meet John at the races this year. So cool.
Stephen
23 Apr 2019Hi Heidi – Thanks for reading.
People are training as we speak. If you don’t have a codfish to practice with, a chihuahua will do.
Molly Ondich
23 Apr 2019Fantastic interview. Great questions and great responses. I gained some valuable insight about the codfish race. I hope to participate soon. Thanks John Walters and Maine Terrain!
Stephen
23 Apr 2019Thanks Molly. I wish you luck in the 2019 Codfish Relay. See you in Milbridge!
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