With 96 entries so far and registration still open, it’s a safe bet that the Kuttawa Cannonball Run set for May 29-30 in Old Kuttawa, Ky., will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a 100-plus-boat fleet. Online registration doesn’t close until May 17.
No matter what kind of powerboat you own, you’re welcome at the Kuttawa Cannonball Run. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
The event includes a short lunch run on Lake Barkley on Friday. Saturday’s run, which starts on Lake Barkley and transitions to Kentucky Lake for lunch at Breakers Marine in Buchanan, Tenn., is significantly longer.
“We’re right on pace with previous years though,” said Terry Martin, one of the event’s organizers and founders. “ I went out yesterday, and the lakes look great.”
By great, Martin, who started the event with his friends Jeff Hoefling and Stephen Miles, means mostly free of debris. So far, spring rain, which flushes forest debris into the lakes, has been light in the region, though the Kuttawa affair has only shut down for weather and water conditions once in its soon-to-be 10-year history.
That’s a big milestone for any event, especially that began as a loose idea among three over-served dudes at a bar. But from outset the Kuttawa Cannonball Run has been completely free of attitude, ego and posturing. It is among the most welcoming events of its kind.
But the organizers do one have gentle request for would-be participants: Take advantage of online registration while you can.
“We always have that last minute walk-in registration rush the week before and on Friday and Saturday till 8:30 a.m. during the event,” Hoefling explained. “It would be super helpful if everyone would register online. That way, we can keep the show going and not try and register everyone last minute at the tent in the parking lot.”
Speedonthewater.com chief photographer Pete Boden and contributing writer/offshore racing editor will be on scene at the 2026 Kuttawa Cannonball Run to capture the story of the 10th anniversary happening.