In windy, overcast and chilly conditions, Gauteng’s Marathon Championships took place earlier this month (7 and 8 May).
The competition was held at Homestead Dam in Benoni and was hosted by the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club.
This event was the trials for the South African Marathon Championships taking place in June.
It enabled the conveners to identify and select paddlers for various age categories to represent Gauteng at the event which leads to selection for the International Canoe Marathon.
“A number of paddlers from throughout Gauteng are strong marathon paddlers, especially those who are running fit. This is because during the portages, they can easily make up time if they can get out of their boats quickly and smoothly while carrying their boats,” said Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas.
Florida Canoe Club’s Hardus Theunissen and Malusi Nxumalo partnered up to compete in the K2 discipline which was a highly competitive main age category race.
With 22.5-kilometres, 6 laps and 5 portages, the duo managed to finish in a time of 1 hour 45 minutes.
They were pleased with the opportunity to improve fitness and stamina.
Theunissen and Nxumalo also completed the K1 single boats race of 22.5-kilometres.
Nxumalo finished in third position in the U/23 category while Theunissen finished in second position in the Grand Master age category.
This means both paddlers have secured their selection to the SA Championships.
U/10 and U/12 paddlers Ameerah and Kamilah Hank also participated in the K1 event on and finished their 6-kilometres race to earn podium positions for first place in both age categories.
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