The race was blessed by rain in the days beforehand and a frost and sun on the day. This meant it was good to paddle and good to watch. The river was running fast but not so high as to make Northenden Weir a portage, so we were expecting the 1 hour barrier to be broken.
The weather attracted 32 paddlers for the race and 40 paddlers for the accompanying mini tour, from as far as Lincoln and Worcester. The latter is significant. The race had previously attracted local heroes, but this time a stranger rode into town. Well, not a stranger. Stuart also came to Cheshire in midsummer and slashed the record for the solo Cheshire Ring Race.
Now he and Dave Pedlar were attacking the Descent K2 record. And they succeeded, knocking off over 6 minutes. Afterwards Stuart said “Great race, really enjoyed it and will be recommending it to friends. I’m now intrigued to see what it is like at more normal water levels, maybe next year.”
There were also records broken in the K1, WW Racer and Touring Canoe classes.
We will be running the race and tour again in 13th October 2013, visit www.madcc.co.uk for details nearer the time.
The 9.2 mile section of the river used for the race has one sloping weir and a dozen rubble weirs, this is part of the 18 mile Mersey Canoe Trail which is open every day. Details can be found in the web.
Thanks to the competitors and everyone who helped. The hospitality of Burnage Rugby Club at the start and Trafford Metrovick Rugby Club at the end was very welcome.
The detail results are as follows.
Club Time
K2 Racing double Kayak
1st Stuart West & David Pedlar Worcester 53m26s New record
2nd Maggie Dilai & Jenny Illidge Runcorn 59m06s
3rd Richard Millar & Laurence Garton Nottingham KC 59m15s
4th Adrian Fisher & Ned Price Macclesfield 61m 42s
5th Gary Carter & Steve Gardner Lincoln 62m 11s
K1 Racing single kayak
1st Jamie Mayers Runcorn 58m 25s New record
2nd Jonathan O’Grady Runcorn 61m 19s
3rd Rod Steele Macclesfield 61m 40s
4th Alastair Randall Liverpool 66m 37s
5th Archie Miles Lincoln 68m 23s
6th John Mc Carrol 95m 03s
7th Sam Woolley (J) Manchester 114m 44s
8th Nicholas Woolley Manchester 115m 00s
WWR White water racing kayak
1st Michael Fitzsimons Mercia 62m 48s New record
2nd Richard Moss Manchester 69m 04s
3rd Simon Gelder Chester 74m 14s
4th Jane Millar Nottingham KC 84m 48s
5th Colin James Liverpool 86m 10s
Touring open canoe
1st Colin Smith 77m 03s New record
2nd Stewart Stobbs 90m 59s
3rd Sean, Robbie & Joseph Jesson Manchester 91m 17s
4th Simon Nixon & Peter Rushworth Runcorn 96m 19s
5th Joanna Sweet & Matthew Hailwood Bolton 106m 01s
6th Gareth Smith Bolton 113m 58s