A busy month for Marathon
We have had no fewer than three longer distance races over the last month.
Waterside A
Waterside A, Great Bedwyn to Newbury, on 24th February was on a glorious spring day, the first time I can remember a Waterside race where cags were cast aside by most paddlers. Even with the mild weather it was a tough race of 13.5 miles with 21 portages.
Jarvis M had a great race coming 2nd/18 JK1 in 1:58:07;
Simon TC was 9th/16 in 2:03:46 SK1
Robin T and Tommy F were 7th/14 JV in 2:11:21,
James B and Peter W were 7th/16 in 2:28:30
Vicky M and Liz M (BCCC) were 6th/16 in 2:24.10 in C2
Caroline W and Fay B were 6th/11 in 2:27:11 Mixed K2
Steve M 15th/23 VK1 in 2:30:10
A big “Thank you” to our supporters, the organisers and marshals.
Thameside 1
Starting from Aldermaston Bridge, Thameside 1 is a time trial down the Kennet and Avon Canal, onto the river Kennet, through Reading Town Centre onto the Thames then upstream and over Caversham lock to finish at Reading Canoe Club. A distance of about 12 miles with 12 portages. The weather was certainly testing from what I hear (I missed the race as I was in sunny Seville) A small team from Pangbourne entered.
Simon TC in SMK1 was 6th/10 in 1:48:35.
Robin T and Tommy F in JVK2 were 5th/8 in 1:54:06 and
Jarvis M paddling with Rachel (Reading CC) was 2nd/18 in Mixed K2 in 1:51:00 – a really good result!
Many thanks to Reading Canoe Club for staging this event.
Waterside B
“March winds and April showers Make way for sweet May flowers”
Well let’s hope that this is true after being buffeted by strong winds with gusts over 30mph on Waterside B. This race is 17.5 miles/19 portages from Newbury to Aldermaston and back. The outward leg with the wind more or less behind us was not too taxing but the return leg, into the wind, was a real challenge. At times I was paddling and felt that the boat just wasn’t moving forward at all.
Fay B and Caroline W had a fine race coming 3rd/5 in mixed K2 in 3:10:00. Robin T and Tommy F also claimed a Bronze in Junior/Vet 3rd/8 in 2:55:40T. Simon TC, K1 Senior was 6th/12 in 2:46:48 in a strong field. In Canadian doubles James B and Peter W were 4th/10 in 3:15:21 despite taking two swims. However, they now know that their boat is easy to empty! Vicky M and Liz M (BCCC) were 5th/10 in 3:16:11. Vicky had not been feeling well all week so did well to compete at all. Steve M came 14th/21 in 3:21:28 having argued with a low bridge and lost, resulting in a swim.
Wedding Bells I’m pleased to announce that David M and Beverley H have announced a date for their wedding. They are getting married on 18th. Congratulations to you both.