Champions look forward to upcoming SA marathon canoe race
Gauteng Marathon Championship took place on June 1 and 2.
THE Gauteng Marathon Championship took place on June 1 and 2 at the Cradlemoon Lakeside Resort. Participants from u-8 through to 80 years participated at the event which attracted paddlers from other provinces to try out the venue in preparation for the upcoming South African Marathon Championship which will take place there on June 15, 16 and 17.
One of the essential aspects of marathon racing is the ability to master a smooth portage where the paddlers from u-14 and upwards take their boat out of the water, run a short distance carrying it, and then put it back smoothly into the water, climb in without falling in, slipping, or dropping the wet smooth boat. This is quite a crucial skill where paddlers can lose time, or make up time depending on their efficiency.
From the local club in the South, Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg Canoe Club, it was the young development youth that were likely to be selected for the team selection to represent Gauteng at the SA Marathon Championship event in two weeks’ time.
Bert Matruje from JCC partnered with Siyamthanda Qumbelo to finish as the first u-16 team in 1:36 (23km, five portages) while Colin Ledwaba partnered with Peter Chissano to finish as the second u-23 doubles team in a time of 1:45 minutes. They also raced in the singles and K1 event.
The Gauteng paddlers are looking forward to the SA Marathon Inter-provincial Marathon Championships which take place at the same venue on June 15, 16 and 17.
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