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Marathon racing is probably the most popular form of flat water
racing, as it encompasses all ages and abilities. It can vary from
a full marathon raced by world champion standard paddlers to a two-mile
fun race for ten-year-old beginners. It takes place on all types
of water – canals, rivers, lakes and even the sea. There are
a number of races spread throughout the year, most of them taking
place between Easter and the end of October.
Divisional Marathon Races – Marathon
racing in England revolves around the divisional system, which
ranks paddlers according to performance. The top paddlers in divisions
1, 2 and 3 race over 12 miles, the next group in divisions 4,
5 and 6 race over 8 miles, while those in divisions 7, 8 and 9
race over 4 miles. There are usually also 2 mile races for Lightning
and beginner paddlers. Paddlers normally start in division 9 and
are promoted to a higher division as they improve their performance.
The higher divisions also include portages, where the paddler
has to get out of his boat and carry it round an obstruction,
usually a lock. These divisional marathons lead up to an annual
race for the Hasler Trophy, the most prestigious trophy for marathon
canoeing in Britain. It was presented by Lloyd's underwriters
to commemorate the raid up the Gironde River in December 1942
by The Cockleshell heroes, led by Colonel Hasler, in five two-man
canoes to destroy enemy shipping in Bordeaux. The four clubs in
each region to have scored the most points at divisional marathons
throughout the year compete in the national final held in September.
Elmbridge Canoe Club has a particularly good record at winning
this trophy.
The National Marathon Championships -
These are usually held over a weekend in July. The competition
is run in age categories - Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, Under
23, Senior and veteran (over 35), with separate classes for men
and women. Races are held in K1, K2, C1 and C2. There are several
perpetual trophies to be raced for as well as the Spanish House
Trophy for the club scoring most points over the whole weekend.
Distance Races – As well as the
usual divisional races there are also some longer events in the
racing calendar. The 125 mile Devizes to Westminster race is probably
the best known of these, held over the Easter weekend.
Descent Races – The Exe Descent
and The Liffey Race are the two that most marathon paddlers would
attempt, but because of the wild water, rapids and weirs involved
these are only undertaken in expendable boats.
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