Historic 10th Berg River win for McGregor

Leading right from the start, world champion paddler Hank McGregor became the first person in history to claim the Berg River Canoe Marathon for a tenth time.

The grueling 240km race started in Paarl on Wednesday, July 15 and paddlers crossed the finish line in Velddrif on Saturday, July 18.

McGregor said he could not be happier to win all four stages in a row and make the record number of wins.

“To win one is something special, to win ten is something everyone only ever dreams of doing and I am sure it will only really sink in a couple of weeks’ time,” said McGregor.

“I definitely think this was one of the toughest Bergs ever, especially Friday, but it was a pearler of a day for the final stage and it was one of the best paddles I have ever had,” he said.

McGregor notched up a lead of almost three minutes in the first stage and went into Saturday’s final leg with a two-and-a-half minute lead over his closest opponent Andy Birkett.

He kept the pace and the lead, before finishing strong at least one kilometre from the end, sprinting away from the leading group.

The Salt Rock local said the Berg has always had a special place in his heart.

“I do not know if I will be back, but there is something about this race that seems to keep drawing me back – probably because it is the toughest race in the world,” said McGregor.