The East Rand Kayaking (ERK) Club’s Michael Stewart claimed the pole position in the K1 master men’s race during the SA Canoe Marathon Championships at Roodeplaat Dam from June 14 to 16.
Stewart crossed the line in 01:26:32 to win the 20km race, beating Piers Cruickshanks who finished 01:26:35. Sean McGuinan rounded off the top three in 01:27:38.
The paddler also won the master men’s K2 title with his partner Pieter Engelbrecht after completing the race in 01:23:13. They were 22nd overall.
Richard Tandy was seventh in the master men K1 race and was fourth in the K2 race with partner Ryno Armdorff from Soweto Canoe Club.
“There was exciting racing among the large group of entrants and weather was pleasant with good competition resulting in an exciting long weekend of racing,” said Gauteng Canoe Union PRO Jennie Dallas.
Dallas said the nationals were also held to select the team to represent SA at the World Marathon Championships in Croatia in September.
Stewart wins provincial title
Before his exploits at the nationals, Stewart clinched the Gauteng Canoe Union Marathon Championships K1 master men’s title after finishing the event 10th overall in a time of 01:51:00.
The event was held on June 1 and 2 at Roodeplaat Dam.
Engelbrecht won the sub-grand master title, while Tandy was third in the sub-master category. Johan Grabe was fourth in the sub-masters race and Tommy Booth also finished in fourth place in the veteran men’s event.
“The next event club members are training for is the Berg River Marathon in the Western Cape in the middle of winter. It’s not an easy challenge either,” Dallas said.
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