What is marathon?

Canoe/Kayak Marathon involves paddling over long distances, on either the flatwater of lakes and dams, or the flowing water of a river. Victoria has many long rivers well suited for marathon canoeing. Paddle Victoria and its affiliated clubs conduct marathon races throughout the year and throughout the state.

Traditional marathon racing competitions, like the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup and World Championships, involve a fixed flatwater course with regular portages, where the paddler must carry the canoe or kayak. Marathon races are held throughout the year in Victoria and cater for a wide range of ages and abilities. Most races are structured such that everyone, from novices to elite racers, can race over a distance suitable for their level of ability.

Many Victorian races have a full distance of around 24-32km for open age-group competitors while juniors and veterans will race reduced distances depending upon their age group. Most competitors race K or TK class craft but a wide range of craft including ocean/surf skis, outrigger canoes and stand up paddleboards are accepted at most Victorian marathon races.

Top paddlers can progress through the Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships to the Australian Championships and from there to the World Championships; an event in which Australian athletes have achieved great success.

For many paddlers the pinnacle of marathon racing is the annual Massive Murray Paddle, one of the longest annual canoe races in the world. Run over five days, it covers 404km of the mighty Murray River between Yarrawonga and Swan Hill.

Join a Club

Paddle Victoria has many affiliated clubs who specialise in marathon paddling and have club coaches and boats available for their members to use when building their skills. For more information, contact the clubs directly. Click HERE to find a club near you.

Click on the links in the table to view the race flyer (info) and to register (rego). Keep up-to-date on Facebook for the latest race information.

2023 RACE CALENDAR

2024 RACE CALENDAR

Click here to download the 2024 PV Marathon Race Calendar flyer, or click here to see additional paddling events for marathon and other disciplines that may be of interest.

For other race information:

• Paddle Victoria Marathon Facebook
• Paddle Victoria Sprint Facebook
• PaddleNSW – Marathon Facebook
• ICF Events Calendar
• PA Events Calendar
• PV Events Calendar

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

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2023 NEWSLETTERS

November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
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March 2023
February 2023
January 2023

2022 NEWSLETTERS

December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022 
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022

PV Marathon Races on Webscorer: https://www.webscorer.com/CVMarathon

2023 RESULTS

2023 Frank Harrison Interstate Marathon Cup, Albury: Saturday / Sunday
2023 Saltwater Classic, Footscray: Results
2023 Murray River Classic: Results
2023 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships: Event 1 Results, Event 2 Results, overall trophies
2023 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships, Geelong: Singles, Doubles
2023 Oceania & Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon & SUP Championships, Geelong: Results
2023 Yarra Doubles, Tay Creggan: Results
2023 City Singles, Essendon: Results
2023 Team Pursuit, Fairfield Park: Results
2023 Bendigo Cup, Bendigo: Results
2023 Echuca Mini: Cancelled
2023 Short Course Championships, Bendigo: Results
2023 Ben Ward Memorial, Yarrawonga-Cobram: Results coming soon
2023 Thompsons Beach Circuit, Cobram: Results coming soon
2023 Murray Handicap, Cobram: Results coming soon

Race records document the fastest times for major races in various classes.

Echuca Mini

Murray Marathon / Massive Murray Paddle

Officials & Volunteers

PV Marathon believes that safe and efficient management of events requires officials and volunteers to have trained in advance for the roles they fill at events.

Becoming an Official or Race-day Volunteer

To find out more about officiating go to the Paddle Australia Officiating webpage.

To help prepare volunteers for race day, we have produced a PV Marathon Race Official & Volunteer Handbook and a series of videos for different volunteer roles. Click here to view training videos.

If you are interested in becoming a Paddle Australia – Marathon Official or a race day volunteer please email Sue O’Rourke.

Finding an Official

To find a registered official go to the Paddle Australia Qualification Search webpage.

Roles & Responsibilities

Course Umpire (Turn Buoy)

Bill and Nora Smith Award – Outstanding Contribution to Marathon Canoeing

Bill Smith was a Life Member of Essendon Canoe Club (ECC), Life Member of Paddle Victoria and an ECC Commodore. Bill and his wife Nora virtually ran Sprint regattas and Marathon races in 70s, 80s and 90s, carting equipment all over Vic and interstate where they made a huge contribution to the foundation that Sprint and Marathon canoeing are run on today.

Award winners: Glen M. Rose (1995), Ken McMullan (1996), Kerryn L Bonnet (1997), Glenrose Rose (1998), Kevin Thomas & Barbara Treharne (1999), Tom Hirrschoff (2000), Mike Goyne (2001), Alan Opie (2002 & 2011), Allan and Dianne Papworth (2003), Connie Todaro (2004), Anne Murray (2005), Mark Murray (2006), Joe Alia (2008 & 2009), Michael Baird (2010), Kevin Johnson (2013), John Young (2013).

Mitchelton Winery Perpetual Trophy – Club Long Distance Aggregate Award

Award Winners: Echuca Moama (1980, 1981), Mitta Mitta (1982), Geelong (1983, 1987, 1990, 2010), Sherbrook Knox (1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2009), Footscray (1986, 2003, 2004), Patterson Lakes (2002, 2005, 2007), Ivanhoe Northcote (2011).

Team Selection

PV Marathon Victorian Team Selection Policy (2023)

Selection Criteria

• Selection to the Victorian Canoe Marathon Team (“VIC Marathon Team”) recognizes both the attainment of a standard of performance and the participation in marathon paddling in Victoria.
• The selection event for the VIC Marathon Team to represent Victoria at the 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon & SUP Championships (“Nationals”) in Encounter Lake, SA, 5-8 April 2024, is the Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships (“VIC Champs”) – date and venue tba.
• You do not have to be selected to the VIC Marathon Team to participate at Nationals. Selection is a point of recognition only. It is not required for entry to Nationals.
• The two fastest crews in each class, which meet the qualification criteria, are eligible for selection.
• Each VIC Marathon Team member will receive a Paddle Victoria numbered cap.

Qualification Criteria

• A Paddle Victoria member.
• Have competed in at least five qualifying races in the previous 12 months, where one race needs to be over 100 km from the paddler’s designated club.
• Be in the winning crew, or finish within three (3) minutes of the winning crew, in an ICF classed race at the VIC Champs.
• Be committed to competing at Nationals.

Notes

• The VIC Marathon Team selection event does not require a “constituted class”, although this is preferable.
• The three (3) minutes aligns with the Paddle Australia Marathon team selection criteria.
• The reason for requiring participation in at least five State-level races, one of which requires some travel, is because the success of marathon paddling rests on strong involvement from the paddling community. We hope that paddlers seeking selection will participate in more than the minimum number of races and lead by example. Races in which a paddler is disqualified do not count towards the total.
• Qualifying races must be open to all competitors. So, events that are class or age specific do not count as a qualifying race.
• We recognize that many paddlers participate in other forms of paddling and in club-based or other races. Whilst participation in these events is encouraged it does not count towards the minimum requirement of State-level marathon races.

Qualifying Races

• 2023 VIC Canoe Marathon Championships, Geelong (Singles, Doubles)
• 2023 Yarra Doubles, Tay Creggan, Hawthorn
• 2023 City Singles, Essendon
• 2023 Team Pursuit, Fairfield Park
• 2023 Bendigo Cup, Bendigo
  
• 2023 Short Course Marathon Championships, Bendigo
• 2023 Ben Ward Memorial, Cobram
• 2024 Saltwater Classic, Footscray
• 2024 Frank Harrison Marathon Cup, Albury (Singles, Doubles)

2023 Victorian Marathon Team

2022 Victorian Marathon Team

2021 Victorian Marathon Team

2022 RESULTS

2022 Frank Harrison Interstate Marathon Cup: Saturday / Sunday / State points / Individual points
2022 Saltwater Classic Start 1 / 2 / 3 / 3 (Ocean Canoe) / 4 / 7
2022 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships race 1 / race 2
2022 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Saturday (singles) / Sunday (doubles)
2022 Murray River Classic Results
2022 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships, QLD Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3
2022 Yarra Doubles Results
2022 VIC Short Course Marathon Champs Day 1 / Day 2
2022 VIC Teams Relay & Paddle Rally Cancelled
2022 City Twilight Results
2022 Echuca Mini Cancelled
2022 Bendigo Cup Singles / Doubles
2022 Salty TK & Rec Challenge Results
2022 Bendigo Friendly
2022 Ben Ward Metro Results

2021 RESULTS

2021 Victorian Sprint and Short Course Marathon Championships
2021 Saltwater Classic (Footscray)
2021 Victorian Paddle Sports Long Distance Handicap
2021 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Saturday (singles) / Sunday (doubles)
2021 Points after Race 4
2021 VPS 200m Twilight Sprints Heats / Finals
2021 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships Session 1 / Session 2
2021 Frank Harrison Interstate Marathon Cup Saturday / Sunday
2021 Winter Series Race 1 – Tay Creggan
2021 Winter Series Race 3 – Fairfield
2021 Lockdown 5 Virtual Race
2021 Lockdown 6 Virtual Race
2021 Lockdown 6a Virtual Race
2021 Echuca Mini (virtual race)
2021 Bendigo Cup (virtual race)
2021 Spring back to paddling weekly challenge: Week 1 / Week 2 / Week 3 / Week 4 / Week 5 / Week 6 / Week 7 / Week 8 / Series Standing
2021 Bendigo Short Course Singles / Doubles

2020 RESULTS

2020 GP1 – Murray River Classic
2020 GP2 – Saltwater Classic
2020 GP3 & GP4 – Frank Harrison Memorial Race Saturday / Sunday
2020 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Singles / Doubles
2020 Victorian Schools Canoe Sprint and Marathon Championships Marathon race 1 / Marathon Race 2
2020 Bendigo Cup Race results / Handicap results / 5 lap and community fun paddle results
2020 Victorian Short Course – Bendigo Race 1 / Race 2 / Friendly Sprints
2020 Victorian Short Course – Geelong Race 1 / Race 2

2019 RESULTS

2019 GP1: Murray River Classic
2019 GP2: Saltwater Classic
2019 GP3 & GP4: Frank Harrison Memorial Race Saturday / Sunday
2019 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships Session 1 / Session 2
2019 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Day 1 / Day 2
2019 WS Race 1 – Tay Creggan
2019 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – WA
2019 WS Race 2 – Barwon Heads
2019 WS Race 3 – Fairfield
2019 WS Race 4 – Patterson Lakes
2019 WS Race 5 – Nagambie
2019 WS Race 6 – Short Courses (Gateway Lakes): Singles, doubles, teams, points
2019 WS Race 7 – Echuca Mini
2019 Canoe Marathon World Championships – China
2019 Bendigo Cup and Community Paddle
2019 Salty TK and REC Challenge (Footscray)
2019 Ben Ward Memorial 40 Miler Saturday / Sunday

2018 RESULTS

2018 Race 1 – Murray River Classic
2018 Race 2 – Saltwater Classic
2018 Race 3 & 4 – Frank Harrison Memorial Race Saturday / Sunday
2018 Summer Finale – Geelong
2018 Schools Championships Marathon Race 1 / Race 2
2018 Victorian  Canoe Marathon Championships Day 1 / Day 2
2018 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships, SA Saturday AM / Saturday PM / Sunday AM / Sunday PM
2018 WS Race 1 – Barwon Heads
2018 Club Points (after WS 1)
2018 WS Race 2 – Hawthorn
2018 WS Race 3 – Fairfield
2018 WS Race 4 – Albury Singles / Doubles / Teams
2018 Club points (after WS 4)
2018 WS Race 6 – Nagambie Race 1 / Race 2 / Race 3
2018 WS Race 7 – Echuca Mini
2018 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Portugal
2018 Ben Ward 40 Miler Saturday / Sunday

2017 RESULTS

2017 Race 6 – YMACC Murray River Classic – Kayaks  – Canoe/Adventure/Novice
2017 Race 7 – Footscray Saltwater Classic
2017 Race 8 & 9 – Frank Harrison Memorial Race day 1 / day 2
2017 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Day 1 / Day 2
2017 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships, NSW Day 1 / Day 2
2017 Schools Sprint and Marathon Championships Marathon 1 / Marathon 2 / Sprint 1 / Sprint 2
2017 C4/K4 Dash
2017 Salty Single Blader
2017 WS Race 1 – Warrnambool
2017 WS Race 2 – Hawthorn
2017 WS Race 3 – Fairfield team pursuit / Handicap results (preliminary)
2017 WS Race 4 – Patterson Lakes
2017 WS Race 5 – Nagambie
2017 WS Race 6 – Geelong
2017 Canoe Marathon World Championships – South Africa
2017 CVGT Echuca Mini Marathon
2017 Broken Creek Classic

2016 RESULTS

2016 Race 1 – YMACC Murray River Classic
2016 Race 2 – Footscray Saltwater Classic
2016 Race 3 & 4 – Frank Harrison Memorial Race
2016 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships Morning / Afternoon
2016 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships Day 1 / Day 2
2016 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – QLD
2016 K4 Dash
2016 WS Race 1 – Patterson Lakes
2016 WS Race 2 – Warrnambool
2016 WS Race 3 – Fairfield
2016 WS Race 4 – Footscray
2016 WS Race 5 – Nagambie
2016 WS Race 6 – Geelong
2016 Club and school points
2016 Paddler points
2016 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Germany
2016 SS Race 1 – Bendigo Cup
2016 SS Race 2 – Murray Marathon Dress Rehearsal Footscray
2016 SS Race 3 – Murray Quad
2016 SS Race 4 & 5 – Ben Ward Day 1 / Day 2

2015 RESULTS

2015 Race 1 – YMACC Murray River Classic
2015 Race 2 – Saltwater Canoe Classic
2015 Race 3 & 4 – Frank Harrison Memorial Race
2015 Victorian Marathon Championships Day 1 / Day 2
2015 Victorian Schools Marathon Championships Morning / Afternoon / Points
2015 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – ACT
2015 K4 Dash
2015 WS Race 1 – Patterson Lakes
2015 WS Race 2 – Warrnambool
2015 WS Race 3 – Fairfield/INCC
2015 WS Race 4 – Geelong
2015 WS Race 5 – Nagambie
2015 WS Race 6 – Footscray
2015 Victorian Winter Series Results
2015 Winter Series Statistics
2015 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Hungary
2015 Bendigo Cup
2015 Ben Ward 40 Miler Saturday / Sunday

2014 RESULTS

2014 Victorian Canoe Marathon Championships: Day 1 Essendon / Day 2 Footscray
2014 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – Results
2014 5 & 10K Race 1 / Race 2
2014 Victorian Schools Championships Essendon / School’s Results
2014 Canoe Marathon World Championships – USA

2013 RESULTS

2013 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – WA
2013 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Denmark

2012 RESULTS

2012 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – NSW
2012 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Italy

2011 RESULTS

2011 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Singapore

2010 RESULTS

2010 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Spain

2009 RESULTS

2009 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships – QLD
2009 Canoe Marathon World Championships – Portugal