​The early boats in the annual Chicago-to-Mackinac race are poised to depart Friday afternoon, launching more than 250 competitors toward the famous finish line at Mackinac Island. Among the entrants is 71-year-old sailor Rich Stearns, a seasoned participant in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac who says this year’s event carries a purpose beyond competition.
Stearns spent Thursday afternoon studying weather forecasts and tying up final boat preparations. After decades of racing, the routine comes naturally, but the last decade has introduced challenges far beyond last-minute tweaks. Diagnosed with prostate cancer about ten years ago, Stearns has endured years of treatment. He and his wife turned to keeping busy on their boat as a grounding ritual. “Many people facing cancer think, ‘I’m going to die. It’s over. I’ll just give up.’ But it’s a beautiful day out, and I’m here. I woke up this morning. Life is good,” he shared.
A lifelong sailor who began racing at age seven, Stearns believes his cancer is now under control and has redirected his focus toward encouraging men to pursue regular health checkups. “Nobody wants to talk about it. Women talk about breast cancer all the time, but men can’t seem to talk about this,” he noted. Rush University Hospital, where Stearns received treatment, issued a statement highlighting his resilience: “Richard Stearns is a proud example of people not only thriving after a cancer diagnosis but using their experience to raise awareness and support other patients and families.”
Stearns aims to spark a broader conversation within the close-knit sailing community he knows so well. “I think the goal to begin with is to get it out there, at least, in the sailing community. It’s a big community,” he said. For those seeking more information about the cause, the Rush donation page at give.rush.edu offers details and ways to support.
The lead racers are anticipated to reach Mackinac Island in the early hours of Monday morning, weather permitting and contingent on wind conditions. As this year’s field of competitors charts a course toward the storied finish, Stearns’ story adds a personal dimension to the race, intertwining sport with advocacy and a call for proactive health care among men.