Marathon racing is an event combining skill, stamina and tactics and can be enjoyed by paddlers of all ages and abilities.  It attracts large numbers of canoeists onto the rivers, canals and lakes of the UK throughout the year in a wide variety of craft.

This discipline whilst long established in the Region has seldom had as large a following as it deserves.  The largest area of interest is in Humberside with a more modest but growing involvement in South and West Yorkshire. There will be 9 marathon races within the region in 2007. To view the dates of races and for further details, see the events calendar.

The name marathon covers a wide range of events with distances from a few miles to over 100.  Many of the longer races are divided into classes based on age and sex of the competitor and type of craft. Within England, the shorter races form part of the Hasler Trophy competition and are raced in divisions based on ability.  There  are 9 divisions arranged so that novices compete over short distances of 4 miles, while the most experienced race over distances of up to 12 miles.  Promotions between divisions occur regularly with a one-year correction procedure.

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SPRINT RACING

Sprint Racing is one of the two Olympic events in the canoe world, and takes place on flat water at regattas.  Distances raced are 200m, 500m, 1000m, 6000m and 10000m. The racing kayaks and canoes used have to conform to international standards and specifications.  Racing takes place in singles, doubles and fours in both canoe and kayak classes.

Racing is based around five regattas at the National Water Sports Centre, at Nottingham, with an interclub championship and age group national championships being included.  There are also a number of local regattas run at various sites around the country during the season.  Most paddlers enter racing through a club.  They race as novices locally, and at national regattas at junior and senior level, in classes for men, women and veterans (over 35).  These classes are graded according to ability.

The Great Britain Racing Squad selects elite paddlers for training, in junior men, junior ladies, senior men and senior ladies classes.  International teams are sent to European regattas at junior and senior level, and to junior and senior World Championships and the Olympics.

There is a Junior Development system in operation to introduce junior paddlers to the squad system, encourage crew boat racing, and provide opportunities for racing at a level of competition below full international teams.

Details of how to get started, and your nearest club, can be obtained from:

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