AFTER five days of gruelling paddling, the 2012 VicSuper Murray Marathon competitors reached their final destination in Swan Hill on Monday afternoon.
The annual marathon, which challenges entrants to traverse 404km along the Murray River, kicked-off in Yarrawonga last Thursday and concluded with a presentation on Monday evening.
School groups, senior citizens and even politicians were among this year’s competitors, with more than 500 hardened entrants taking part.
Murray Marathon management committee chair Scott Chapman said the 44th Murray Marathon had been a success.
“It’s an amazing challenge both on and off the water and one that more people should experience,” Mr Chapman said.
Canoe and kayak club representatives from across Australia were present, and this year’s event even played host to international competitors.
While the competition portion of the marathon was a whitewash, with Greg Smith and Stephen Monger from team Two Short Men claiming first-place each day of the event, a sense of good humour pervaded the proceedings.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s edition of The
Guardian (02/01/13).
