Marathon racing is not a discipline The Sharks have partaken in on a regular basis, although we have regularly staged mini-marathon series. This began to change throughout the year

In 2015 Shark paddlers entered two non-ranking marathons; Early in the year three intrepid paddlers took part in the Themeside 2 race from Reading to Marlow. A distance of 19 Miles and 8 portages; the race was shrouded in controversy as the majority of paddlers were disqualified for a false start.

The Club also entered the Battles Bridge race for the third consecutive year, the race takes place on an estuary in Essex and makes for a great day, with BBQ afterwards.

Adam Stewart came in second under 18 at Thameside; in a time of 3 hours and 1 minute exactly; which was a fantastic result for the first race of this length. At Battlesbridge he came in first in the 9 mile race in a time of 1:09:02 winning the Skeetex Cup for the second year running. Adam has also been a regular participant in the Sharks mini-marathon series and is a GLL supported Athlete.

Amelia Comes, was the Girls’ under 16 home in the Battlesbridge Race, completing the 6 miles in a time of 0:59:31; she is a regular in our Mini-marathon series and our top performing female athlete in every discipline. She is also a GLL supported Athlete.

Johan Kukkohovi, at just 9-years-old as been an amazing performer for The Sharks this year and took the under 16s prize in the 6 mile race in a time of 1:02:02; just partaking in an estuary race at the age is impressive but what a great time! Johan is definitely an athlete of the future.

Grant Underwood also competed in the Thameside 2 race and was one of the paddlers caught up in the controversy, unofficial times record him as taking 2:20:14. However, there was denying the result at Battlesbridge, where Grant was the clear winner of the 6 mile race for the third consecutive time, taking just 41 minutes and 42 seconds. Grant is supported by GLL. Rod Grundy was the other member of  our Marathon team this year; illness forced him to retire from the Thameside 2 race after 8 miles; at Battlesbridge he came in second on a time of 56:21 for the 6 mile course. As one of our more experienced marathon paddlers Rod is going to try and get more Sharks paddling in more Marathons in 2016.

As well as the open races there is a series of ranking marathons, which vary in length from 2 miles for beginners up to 13 miles for division 1 paddlers.  There are also a number of open races each year, which are of different lengths, the longest being 125 miles from Devizes to Westminster.

As well as entering these two races, The Sharks organised a number of mini-marathons throughout the year mainly at Harefield; however, these races are not attracting the numbers they used to and we are currently reviewing them. Many thanks to everybody who helped, either with organising our mini-marathons; managing paddlers at events or supporting them whilst racing.