The Berg River Canoe Marathon takes place annually in South Africa's Western Cape Province over a distance of some 240 km from Paarl to the small harbour of Velddrif on the West Coast. The three other notable South African canoe races are the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Breede River Canoe Marathon and the Fish River Canoe Marathon.
The first Berg River marathon took place in 1962. It is usually run over four days, often in pouring rain during the wet winter month of July, when the Berg River level is expected to be at its highest. The water is fast-flowing, often through narrow channels choked with trees, low branches, and submerged obstacles. The course of the river is due north from Paarl to Piketberg and from there it meanders west across the coastal plain to Velddrif.
On the day before the start of the race, seeding time trials are held to determine the starting positions of the first 60 paddlers from a field of more than 200. It is the longest canoe marathon in the country and traverses scenic wineland countryside, with overnight stops at Zonquasdrift, Bridgetown (which lies on the upper reaches of the Misverstand Dam) and Zoutkloof.
The Berg River Canoe Marathon also makes up the final leg of the Two Oceans Peninsula Iron Man, the first two legs being the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon. For the 2010 race the winner's purse was set at R25 000.
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Winners
Men 2016 Hank McGregor 38 17:37:39.55 2014 Andy Birkett 23 16:59:04 2013 Lance King 25 17:17:30 2012 Hank McGregor 34 15:53:47 2011 Hank McGregor 33 16:59.25 2010 Hank McGregor 32 16:04:32 2009 Hank McGregor 31 13:22:54 2008 Hank McGregor 30 13:20:09 2007 Hank McGregor 29 17:12:46 2006 Hank McGregor 28 17:39:54 2005 Hank McGregor 27 17:10:34 2004 Jacques P Theron 27 16:15:23 2003 Jacques P Theron 26 16:40:33 2002 Jacques P Theron 25 14:22:08 2001 Graeme Solomon 28 12:36:44 2000 Hank McGregor 22 16:13:29
Women 2016 Bianca Beavitt 26 20:27:14.73 2014 Abby Adie 18:38:39 2013 Jenna Ward 20 20:43:06 2012 Jen Theron 32 17:38:21 2011 Michele Eray 32 19:06.02 2010 Robyn Kime 20 17:57:15 2009 Robyn Kime 19 15:26:07 2008 Abbey Miedema 28 14:55:06 2007 Abbey Miedema 27 19:41:57 2006 Abbey Miedema 26 19:40:07 2005 Alexa Lombard 25 18:37:41 2004 Abbey Miedema 24 18:46:24 2003 Alexa Lombard 23 18:56:30 2002 Alexa Lombard 22 15:45:51 2001 Alexa Lombard 21 13:33:06 2000 Jean Wilson 31 18:37:18 http://www.paddle365.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=389&Itemid=100
External links Official site Past winners - men Past winners - women
References