For five years, Elmore Holmes participated in the Outdoors, Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race in the cruising class, a race for those individuals with kayaks not made for downriver racing.
     For five years, Holmes was the winner of the event. Last year, he decided to get himself a downriver kayak and race with the big boys.
     In a race that featured Olympic gold medalist Greg Barton and two-time winner Chris Hipgrave, Holmes managed to finish sixth.
     "Sixth place is not what I really wanted to finish,'' Holmes said.
     So immediately after the race, the Memphis native began making preparations for this year's 19th race, which will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday on the Mississippi River. The race will start at the mouth of the Wolf River and end in the Memphis Harbor.
     Holmes, 32, got together with Barton, who set a course record last year by finishing in 16 minutes, 44 seconds. The two discussed Holmes's paddling techniques along with other technical tips that Barton passed along.
     "I learned some tactical things,'' Holmes said. "I think I gained a few things that I hope to use to my advantage this year."
     Holmes hopes his new insights will land him a finish among the top three. Race director Joe Royer thinks Holmes could be a sleeper.
     "He'll be right up in the front," Royer said.
     Holmes is coming off a trip to the Olympic Trials last month on the Ocoee River in east Tennessee. He finished 20th overall in the men's single canoe class, which is whitewater slalom canoeing.
     He began canoeing as a 13-year-old during a summer camp in North Carolina in 1981. Holmes has been addicted to it since. On Saturday, achieving his goal would be a sense of accomplishment.
     "It's something I've worked hard on well over a year now,'' Holmes said. "I'm hoping that it will translate into a good result on Saturday."
     Royer said the race, a part of the Memphis In May celebration, continues to grow. Last year, 219 boats and more than 400 people participated, Royer said.
     "It's as Memphis as Rendezvous (Restaurant),'' Royer said. "It's as Memphis as you can get. It's really a wonderful event. It has put Memphis on the map as far as paddling."