Local paddlers secure their place at SA Marathon Championships
Marathon races are over 20kms including a portage where paddlers get out of the water as smoothly and efficiently as possible to run a short distance with their boat and put it back into the water without losing time.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/09/IMG_6852_90879.jpg)
Sandton paddlers Sarah Evans, Alexa Godden, Kelvin Byres and Mark Garden secured their spots in the Gauteng team for the upcoming South African Marathon Championships in October.
Paddlers competed in the Gauteng Canoe Union’s Marathon Championships race hosted at the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, based at Germiston Dam on 19 and 20 September.
Competitors from all ages under 8 through to Great Grand Masters (over 65) were thrilled at the opportunity to participate in the singles (K1) race after months of lockdown.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/09/IMG_7557_67702.jpg)
The Sandton paddlers participated in trials for team selection to represent the province at the upcoming South African Canoe Marathon Champs to be held in St Francis Bay in October. Categories include the 12 years and under juniors in guppy boats and K1 men and women all ages and K2.
Marathon races are over 20kms including a portage where paddlers get out of the water as smoothly and efficiently as possible to run a short distance with their boat and put it back into the water without losing time.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/09/IMG_7058_58264.jpg)
Sarah Evans completed her 21.5km race in 02:14:00 winning the submaster category. Alexa Godden completed her race in 02:07:00 in the U18 category. Kelvin Byres and Mark Garden completed their race to win the veteran age category in 01:47:00.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/276452/nothing-can-stop-this-st-davids-paddler/