Marathon Racing

James Keeble Marathon Team Leader Reading Canoe Club has long been one of the most successful and influential marathon racing clubs in Britain. In 2006 it completed the rare double of winning both the Hasler Trophy and the Spanish House – the two most important prizes for Teams in Marathon Racing. For most flatwater competitors, their introduction to the sport comes through participation in events organised around the regional Hasler competition. Reading is an active supporter of the Southern Region competition. The Reading Circuits in one of the ten events which comprise the Southern Region championships. The most famous event in British Marathon racing, recognised as a world class event, is the Devizes Westminster race held every year at Easter. A number of races are organised in preparation for this, which allow competitors to race over parts of the DW course. Reading CC organises two events: Thameside 1 and 2 which form an important part of the winter programme, as well as being part of the build up to the DW. Reading encourages participation in Marathon racing at all levels. At the top end, the club frequently provides members of the BCU’s international teams at World and European level. At the other extreme, the club is strongly supportive of novices and the youngest juniors taking part in Paddlesport, Lightning and Hasler “Fun Race” events. In between the two extremes Reading has paddlers ranked in all nine of the Hasler divisions.