Stars to Battle for CSA Medals at the Fish River Canoe Marathon

With the ICF World Marathon Championships just three weeks after the Hansa Golden Crisp Fish River Canoe Marathon, the race will play an integral part in the preparation of several the stars heading to China to do battle in the global marathon showpiece.

The Fish has been moved a week earlier this year and will take place on 27 and 28 September positioning it ideally as a last intensive competitive outing for the elite paddlers before they start their taper down for the World Championships starting on 17 October.

Adding to the looming battle on the brown waters of the Fish River, the race will also double as the South African K2 River Championships, ensuring that almost all of the country’s best K2 combinations will be on the start line to challenge for the CSA medals.

Given the prestige of the Fish, there will be several top-class elite crews threatening the podium with a strong contingent from the Western Cape and from KwaZulu-Natal expected to fight it out for national bragging rights.

Ward and Purchase Pair Up for Their First River Race Since 2015

Defending K2 champion Jenna Ward will be contesting the 2019 Marathon World Championships with Kyeta Purchase and the duo will pair up for their first river race together since the 2015 Fish.

Last year’s K1 champion Bridgitte Hartley will also be on the plane to China and will be racing in the K2 race with Christie Mackenzie in Shaoxing and the pair have already lodged an entry for the Fish. Another entry that is confirmed is that of Alex Adie and Kim van Gysen.

The potential combinations for this year’s national K2 championships do make for interesting reading and a mouth-watering 82km of racing from Grassridge Dam to the Cradock Sports Complex at the end of September.

Photo 1 Caption: With a proven pedigree at international level together, Jenna Ward and Kyeta Purchase have confirmed that they will be paddling the 2019 Hansa Golden Crisp Fish River Canoe Marathon together from 27-28 September. Photo: Balint Vekassy/Gameplan Media

With editing by gsport