Marathon race hosted in gloomy weather

GAUTENG’S Canoe Marathon Championships took place at Homestead Dam in Benoni at the weekend.

The event was hosted by Ekurhuleni Kayak Club (ERK) in some windy, choppy, overcast and chilly conditions.

The South African Marathon Championships will take place on June 11 and 12 in the Western Cape and the Gauteng championships provided trials which enabled the convenors to identify and select paddlers for various age categories to represent Gauteng at the event, which will lead to selection for the international canoe marathon events scheduled for later in the year.

A number of ERK paddlers are strong marathon paddlers, especially those who are running fit – as during the portages they can easily make up time if they can get out of their boats quickly and smoothly and run the short portage distance carrying their boats.

Vincent Buttrick (65) from Kempton Park falls into the age category of Great Grand Master and has always been strong, with excellent stamina and endurance for the long-distance events, as well as being a good strong runner. Unfortunately, in this age group, the run section of the race is waived as is also done with very young paddlers who should not be carrying a boat on a run.

Buttrick finished the 18.9km race with five laps and four portages in a time of one hour 39 minutes.