Please join us at Royal Leamington spa for our hasler marathon on Sunday 6th April 2025. The race will be held in accordance with Paddle UK Marathon racing rules. U14s racing in divisions A, B and C will qualify for Geoff Sanders Memorial Trophy.
The race takes place on the River Leam (all divisions) and the River Avon (divisions 1-6) with beautiful views of Warwick Castle.
VENUE: Royal Leamington Spa Canoe Club, Riverside, (off Adelaide Road A452), Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5AH. Check-in, refreshments, results and prize giving at canoe club.
PARKING: At the Canoe Club and adjacent car park (fee may be payable). Please carry boats to opposite side of river for launching - please no boats through clubhouse.
TIMETABLE:
- 09:00-10:15 Check in (team leaders) [RLS Canoe Club]
- 09:30 Briefing - Geoff Sanders [RLS Canoe Club]
- 09:45 Start - Geoff Sanders K1 (Divs A,B,C) [RLS Canoe Club]
- 10:15 Briefing - Divs 1-9 [RLS Canoe Club]
- 10:45 Launching - Divs 1-9 [Opposite side of river to RLS Canoe Club]
NOTE: Div 1-6 Paddle downstream, portage at weir, paddle to Leam/Avon junction start line (approx 20 min to paddle)
- 11:15 Start - Divs 7-9 [RLS Canoe Club]
- 11:30 Start - Divs 1-6 [Leam/Avon junction]
- 13:00 Start - Geoff Sanders K2 (approx timing) [RLS Canoe Club]
- 13:30 Prize Giving (approx timing) [RLS Canoe Club]
PRIZE GIVING: Will be done once all races are finished and results are available.
COURSES: All paddlers to enter water opposite RLS Club house.
SINGLES & DOUBLES DISTANCES
Divs 1-3: 12 miles, 1 portage
Divs 4-6: 8 miles, 1 portage
Divs 7-9: 4 miles (3 laps of the river Leam)
Geoff Sanders: 2 miles
ENTRIES: Entries open on 20th March and close on 4th April. There are no late entry fees, we reserve the right to close entries before the published closure date if we reach capacity which is approximately 140 competitors. In previous years we have reached capacity.
Seniors: £15
Juniors: £10
U14: £5
Please enter using the Marathon Race Entry system.
PORTAGE: Paddlers are recommended to inspect the portage on the way to the start, it is through a field and although every effort will be made to clear the route, appropriate footwear is recommended as there may be debris and uneven ground.
HAZARDS: Care should be taken around rowers, fishermen and other river users. Divs 7 - 9 and Geoff Sanders should be aware of oncoming paddlers and keep to the right of the river as the Leam is relatively narrow in places.
SAFETY: All paddlers in Divs 7 - 9 and Geoff Sanders must wear approved buoyancy aids. Team leaders to decide if paddlers in high divisions should wear them.
RULES: The race will be run in accordance with the current marathon racing rules.
PRIZES: For all races depending on entry.
NOTE: RLS Canoe Club reserves the right without prior notice to alter any of these arrangments should the weather or other circumstances warrant.
If you have any access requirements or for any queries or changes to entries please contact Tom Diaper at raceorganiser@rlscc.co.uk