The 2023 Mighty River Run will be in honour of late football legend and event co-founder, Russell Ebert, after this year's event was cancelled due to high river flows.
Every year since Ebert co-founded the event in 2007, crews from across South Australia have gathered in the Riverland and embarked on a five-day cruise with their mates, raising money for disability support provider Novita.
It was only fitting for this year's Mighty River Run to honour the Berri-born football great, marking one year since his passing.
But a week out from the event, organisers made the "difficult decision" to cancel the convoy down the river due to increased flows coming into SA.
While boaties will still celebrate raising more than $430,000 at a thank you dinner on Sunday night, the Mighty River Run community will have a chance to properly honour Ebert next year.
"Russell meant probably everything to the event, to be honest with you," Novita's Matthew Robran said.
"He loved supporting our clients and interacting with our clients.
"I don't think we can give Russell the correct accolades and tributes over just one night, so all the tributes we would have done for Russell this year, we'll hold them over."
Ben Ebert, Russell Ebert's son, said the Mighty River Run was meaningful to his late father, who took part in the fundraiser each year by boating through Riverland towns and camping each leg of the way.
"He really looked forward to it, just enjoyed sitting around the camp oven at the end of each night and having a chat to people on a personal basis," he said.
"People enjoy it each year and just love dad's association with it."
While eager crews from across the state have moored their boats, the boaties have raised more than $430,000, which will go towards providing support for people with disabilities.
The funds will be re-invested in Novita's more than 30 therapy hubs throughout regional and metropolitan SA and Broken Hill, including projects like sensory gardens and playgrounds.
