NATCHEZ — It went down as one of the greatest nautical challenges of all-time. The paddle wheelers Natchez VI and Robert E. Lee steamed their way up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Louis in the summer of 1870. Without freight weighing it down, the Robert E. Lee was lighter and completed the trip in three days, 18 hours, 14 minutes. The Natchez VI crossed the finish line six hours later.

It has been 140 years since that famed race, but a new age of paddle vessels will face a similar competition on the Mississippi River Saturday in Phatwater Kayak Challenge IX. Starting at 8 a.m., approximately 200 kayakers and canoeists will paddle more than 42 miles from Claiborne County Port boat ramp to the Natchez Under-the-Hill boat ramp. Each has the same quest: one of five $1,000 cash prizes.

“This should be the largest year yet,” Phatwater co-founder Keith Benoist said. “We’ve got over $5,000 in prize money and we’re trying to break two records, the existing record of 3:41:53, and we’re also trying to break 3.5 hours. That may or may not be possible this year.”

In addition to the grand prizes for breaking the existing record or breaking the 3.5-hour barrier, there will also be $1,000 given to the top tandem, top men’s and top women’s solo finishers.

“The water could be five feet over last year,” Benoist said. “If we have a tailwind out of the north or northwest, there is a good chance we’ll break 3.5 hours.”

Patrick and DeAnne Hemmens of Costa Mesa, Calif., set the course record in last year’s challenge, their first Phatwater. Six others finished in less than four hours.

Cash prizes are available for the top finisher in each of 25 categories.

Regardless of the craft or finish, all entrants will be eligible to win a Fenn Mako XT Surfski valued at $2,500 that will be raffled following the race.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society will benefit from the raffle of a Phatwater Bowie Knife hand-crafted by Terry Vandeventer. Tickets can be purchased at Bowie Outfitters in Natchez.

Registration for the challenge is $70 per person or $140 per tandem and can be completed online through Thursday. In-person registration is accepted noon through 9 p.m. Friday at the Under-the-Hill Saloon on the riverfront in Natchez.

For more information on Phatwater Kayak Challenge IX, call 601-431-1731 or visit www.kayakmississippi.com.