The decision to move our annual 1000 Islands Poker Run to Kingston, Ontario, seems to have triggered a barrage of misinformation. During the past few months, we've been bombarded by questions from poker runners across the continent.

It didn't take us very long to discover the common problem. Some of our regular participants told us they had already made plans to register for our gala event in Kingston. Newcomers, who were impressed by our reputation for running safe, fun-packed poker run weekends, were equally eager, knowing that we had imposed a 150-boat limit for our 2004 gala festival. Both groups were concerned by the news of a second poker run in the 1000 Islands. They simply wanted to know they had signed on for the right event.

In 1989, I created the 1000 Islands Poker Run, which has been widely recognized as the world's largest international poker run, spanning two great countries. In fact, California-based Powerboat magazine recently ranked the 1000 Islands Poker Run Number One of North America's Top Ten.

I think it's high time to put an end to the confusion surrounding the three poker runs scheduled to take place this August in one of the world's top vacation playgrounds.

YES. We also own, organize and operate the Alexandria Bay Poker Run held annually (June 25-27) in the heart of the 1000 Islands.

YES. There is an event planned by the Town of Gananoque.

NO! We are not in any way affiliated with this poker run.

Gananoque has, for a number of years, been the official host headquarters for our 1000 Islands Poker Run. This year, however, we decided to return to the city that hosted our first-ever 1000 Islands event - known and respected by North America's top performance boaters as "The World's Largest International Poker Run."

The APRA-sanctioned 1000 ISLANDS POKER RUN is organized by Poker Runs America and its Canadian counterpart, Poker Runs Inc. and Power Boating Canada. If anyone tells you otherwise, give us a call at 1-800-354-9145.

Healthy competition is always welcome. Our goal has always been and will continue to be to produce (and endorse) top-notch APRA-sanctioned poker runs.

Don't be confused! There is ONLY ONE 1000 Islands Poker Run and it's in Kingston, Ontario (August 13-15), following the same route as the last 15 years: Kingston, Clayton, Alexandria Bay, Rockport, Brockville and Prescott for the start of the final leg. ( Top )