LOCAL STORY:

Butch Hodges of Seadrift took the Argosy Adventure Trophy in 1976 in the boat he built and named “Delta Dawn”. A mural at a grocery store on Highway 185 in Seadrift captures some of the action he and his partner Robert Chatham, also of Seadrift, endured in their 36 hour 18 minute quest for the trophy and bragging rights. This record was not taken from the Hodges/Chatham team until 1986 when John Bugge and Mike Shively completed the World’s Toughest Race in 35 hours and 26 minutes.

          Hodges’ parents often encouraged him to enter the Water Safari until, tragically, his parents, both commercial oystermen, drowned in 1969 shocking the close little community of Seadrift and devastating the lives of the new orphans. Families pitched in to help Hodges raise his younger siblings to adulthood. As life took on an appearance of normalcy, Hodges realized a burning desire to win the race for his parents, and for himself.

Driven by images of the coveted trophy, Hodges built a boat and began preparing for the 1972 race with partner James Dworaczyk of Seadrift. They started in January with a demanding exercise program and practiced in the boat at every possible opportunity. Thinking he was ready for the challenge when the big day came, disappointment hit hard when the team had to quit mid-race due to an injury. Temporarily defeated, Hodges realized that he needed more conditioning. Although he attained physical fitness, he failed to be mentally prepared. Further, he would have to learn the waters to avoid potential dangers lurking beyond each bend.

Hodges competed again with partner Robert Chatham in 1973. To prepare, he and Chatham spent most of their weekends on the river, stopping along riverbanks only to sleep and eat before rising early to resume with renewed determination. Their dedication was rewarded when taking second place. However, Hodges still did not have the trophy he desired.

Teaming up with 18 year old Terry Braun of Seadrift earned second place in 1974. Still chasing the elusive trophy, Hodges spent hours designing and building Delta Dawn in 1975 while planning for the 1976 race.

Hallucinations are common to the racers pushed beyond human limits and provide much entertainment. Hodges explains, “You begin to have hallucinations between the 34^th and 35^th hour. It’s odd that your mind not only creates an absolutely impossible image, it can also accept that it exists without question”. Early in the 34^th hour in 1976 while carrying and pulling the Delta Dawn around a ¾ to 1 mile long log jam, (the procedure is known as “portage”), Hodges spies partner Chatham dropping his side of the boat and intently staring at the ground illuminated by their battery powered light. Chatham finally reaches down, comes up with a handful of grass and asks, “Where’d it go, where’d it go?”. Replying when queried, “The brand new tennis shoes. I saw them right there.” Rather than being shocked or concerned, Hodges says, “I don’t know, let’s go”. Soon after, Hodges noticed Chatham staring at his head. Finally Chatham says, “I don’t know how to tell you but you have two cows on your head and they’re eating something.” Shortly after Hodges recalls seeing indescribable cats. Closer to the 35^th hour, Hodges, thinking about the Seadrift water tower landmark that announces the end of their ordeal, looked up and saw it towering over and straddling the river. “Support legs on both sides of the river bank”, he recalls. Hodges was relieved that they were home, “Look Robert, there’s the water tower!” “Yeah”, Robert says, “I see it”. Hodges asks, “Do you think we can get under it?” not doubting the image he saw. Chatham answers back, “Yeah, I think we can make it.” Shared hallucinations are common as well. Many report seeing the same sightings when the race is over.

Hodges finally had his traveling 1963 Argosy Adventure Trophy from the latter part of 1976 until the 1977 race. Proud, Hodges paid to have the icon re-plated and both partners commissioned small versions of their own to keep. He has no plans to enter the race again but can be found cheering on exhausted racers as they approach Seadrift Bayfront each year. He achieved his goal and explaining why he never attempted to race again, quoted the athlete he most admired, the only undefeated heavy weight championship boxer Rocky Marciano, “The best place to quit is when you’re on top”.