The Missouri River 340 is an ultra-marathon length race that will take place on August 24-27, starting in Kansas City and ending in St. Charles. The 21-person mixed Team Beauties and Barnacles will be competing this year in a 41 foot custom dragon boat, raising money for the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. This piece documents their first training runs and the construction of both the boat and the paddles.

Produced by Erin Schwartz and Kristen DiFate for the Columbia Missourian.