Race Report:

Longridge hosted the first assessment race of the year in order to select members of the Great Britain marathon team. The normal format is on a 4.3km lap with a portage each lap, the senior men doing 7laps, senior women 6laps, junior boys 5laps and junior girls 4laps, the organisers decided to shorten the men's race by one lap over concerns about the race length but kept the women's race the normal length therefore the same distance as the men.

Wey had high hopes of success with members of last years world championships team being ready to race after a hard winter of training.

Seniors men's race saw the expected race between Jon Simmons and Tim Pendle(nor) develop. A large group of 6 paddlers stayed with them for the first 4 laps before Jon and Tim showed their class and pulled away. Coming into the finish Tim held off Jon to take the win.

Senior women's race was also another Wey Norwich battle Fay Lamph took the race out hard from the start and by the first portage she was in a 2 way battle with Pheobe Ayres (racing for Norwich but we all know she's a wey paddler). Pheobe showed some new marathon strength staying with Fay for most of the race finally dropping back with 2 laps to go. Fay finished the race ahead of Pheobe.

Juniors boys saw Jack Childerstone and Ed Haws lining up on the start line, Jack showed his 200m speed off the start with Ed keeping close order. By the time they returned to view Ed was in a lead group of 4 with Jack a further 50m back. With Ed battling hard with Bruce Jones (ELM) for most of the race before pulling away for the win. Jack remembered he was supposed to be racing on the final lap working back through the field to finish 3rd.

Over all a very successful start to the marathon racing season for all Wey paddlers.