2026 National Canoe Marathon Championships highlight strength and depth of the British club scene

The 2026 National Canoe Marathon Championships showcased everything that makes marathon paddling so loved: fierce competition, lifelong participation, thriving clubs and an increasingly strong talent pathway stretching from Under-10 paddlers to athletes competing well into their seventies.

Hosted by Wey Kayak Club at Laleham Park on the banks of the River Thames, the championships brought together nearly 800 paddlers from more than 53 clubs for the first canoe marathon event to be held at the venue. Supported by Spelthorne Borough Council and warmly welcomed by the local community, the new course proved an immediate success. The wide river and beach portage created ideal conditions for tactical racing, large groups and close finishes, while the warm weather and welcome breeze ensured an enjoyable weekend.

Across 56 championship races and 616 entries, the event demonstrated the exceptional depth of marathon racing in the UK. Participation was strong throughout the programme, from junior racing through to veteran championships, with clubs from every corner of the country represented on podiums.

To read the full article and to access all event photos taken by Antony Edmonds, visit the news post of the Paddle UK website here.