Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon

Has anybody ever participated in this event? I’m hoping to participate (not competitively) this year. Anything to know? I suspect those load/unload areas get pretty hectic.

http://www.canoemarathon.com/

I have not done it but I will be doing it this year. I have been training my butt of and hope to do well in the competitive class.