EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Gary Sanson crossed the finish line one last time after competing in the Missouri American Water MR340 July 22. Sanson finished in 47 hours, 17 minutes. He placed sixth in the men’s solo category and 18th overall out of more than 500 competitors. The MR340 is an annual 340-mile race on the Missouri River that starts at Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas, and ends on Missouri’s east side in St. Charles. Participants in the endurance paddle race have 85 hours to complete the course. “Preparing for the race takes several months,” Sanson said. “I do have my own maintenance program to stay physically fit year-round; however, I usually start hitting the water in March to start working on my core strength.” Although Sanson’s training helps, he said his family is the “key factor to my success.” His ground crew this year consisted of his wife, Kim; his two sons and their wives, Brody and Lindsay Sanson, and ...