In Aug. 30 issueRussell County News
Above: Spectators watch one of the fast boats pass during the 2007 Poker Run.The Kentucky Tourism Council has selected Lake Cumberland Poker Run as on of the Commonwealth's fall "Top Ten" events.
Held on the lake and centered at State Dock at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, the event takes place on Sept. 5-7, 2008.
It is already ranked in the Top 10 by Extreme Boats Magazine as one of the best poker runs in the country.
In 2007, over 150 of the country's fastest powerboats participated.
A panel of impartial judges selects the Kentucky Tourism Council "Top Ten" Events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical signficance.
The Kentucky Tourism Council is a 575-member statewide association representing all sectors of the state's travel industry.
The Council's mission is to unite Kentucky's third largest industry through government interaction, communication and education.
Owned and operated by State Dock at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park in Russell County, the event is the big, eagerly anticipated event on the lake every year.
Thousands of persons line the shoreline along the lake or sit in boats along the course to watch the fast boats roar up the lake’s waters.
The course takes place over most of the main lake. Beginning at State Dock near Jamestown, the participants first travel to Burnside Marina in Pulaski County after first stopping for a “card” at Conley Bottom Marina in Wayne County, then back to State Dock, then to Grider Hill Marina on Indian Creek in Clinton County, then back to finish at State Dock and see who managed to get the winning “hand.”
The first group of boats depart from State Dock uplake at 10 a.m. central time. That group is followed by five other groups leaving in five minute intervals.
Some of these large, fast boats are capable of speeds greater than 110 mph.
The organizers say they are expecting more boats than ever this year.
