Paddlers make a splash in the Flat Race

Paddlers braved the early winter morning chill to take part in the Victoria Lake Canoe Club’s (VLC) Flat Race, which was held at Germiston Lake last Sunday.

The newly revised race was based on a marathon format and aimed to offer racers the ideal opportunity to finalise their preparation for the Gauteng Canoe Union’s (GCU) Marathon Championships and the South African Marathon Championships.

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The 20km paddle incorporated four short beach-type portages which competitors had to complete after every 4kms (or every second lap).

The K2s and K3s set off first in the Flat Race, followed by the K1s, with all racers enjoying a calm and peaceful lake.

“It was a perfect day – conditions were ideal,” said Wayne Saunders, club chairperson.

“The race offered racers a great opportunity to prepare for the upcoming marathons or to do some good hard flat water racing for those not competing in the upcoming marathons.”

Loveday Zondi was the first across the line in the K1 division of the race, in a time of one hour, 42 minutes and 1.05 seconds. He was closely followed by Sibusiso Chwayo in a time of one hour, 42 minutes and 1.61 seconds.

Richard Cele rounded off the podium finishes in a time of one hour, 42 minutes and 11 seconds.

Colin Wilson and partner Nicolas Oldert won the K2 division in a time of one hour, 37 minutes and 10 seconds.

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They were joined in the top three by Kelvin Byres and Michael-John Robb, in a time of one hour, 37 minutes and 18 seconds and Zanentlantla Mbala and Bambo Fanteni, in a time of one hour, 38 minutes and 50 seconds.

In addition to the VLC Flat Race the day also boasted the VLC Schools League.

The league was broken into a number of categories, namely the u-8 and u-10 section who paddled 3km, the u-12 section who paddled 6km and the u-14, u-16 and u-18 section who paddled 9km.

Paddlers will now look ahead to the SA Marathon Championships in St Francis Bay from June 15 to 17, where the South African team will be selected to represent the country at the ICF World Marathon Championships taking place in Portugal from September 6 to 9.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za

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