Category: National

New champions crowned as Canoe Marathon Short Course Nationals makes it debut visit to Manvers Lake

   7 May 2026    Athletes, National, Racing

The British National Short Course Championships visited Manvers Lake for the first time in 2026. A busy one-day competition, the short course distance delivers high‑intensity racing with multiple laps and portages across a 3.6km course that tests speed, and tactics. Sunday’s championships showcased exactly that: tight packs, dramatic portage sprints, and fiercely contested finishes that kept spectators lining the banks throughout the day.

The event was created by James Smythe, the former secretary of the Marathon Racing Committee and former Team Manager of international teams, after witnessing the distance at World Championship competitions. The 2026 edition of the event took place at a new venue, after several years of competing in Peterborough. Sadly, the sunshine did not join in and competitors, spectators and event volunteers were “treated” to light rain showers for a large chunk of the day.

In the Senior Men’s K1, James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) retained his title after a hard‑fought race in which Matthew Collinge (Fowey River Canoe Club) and Matthew Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club) kept the pressure on throughout. The trio hit the final straight together, with Russell producing a decisive sprint to secure the win for another year.

The Under‑23 Men’s title went to former junior short course world champion William Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) in his first year out of the junior ranks, finishing just seconds ahead of Sam Cribbett (Nottingham Kayak Club). Fresh from winning the junior race earlier in the day, under 18 paddler William Roeser (Wey Kayak Club) delivered another impressive performance to take third overall.

In the Senior Women’s K1, Katie Brookes (Richmond Canoe Club) claimed her first national short course title, but only after a thrilling duel with under 18 athlete Dianora De Bilio (Royal Canoe Club). The pair were inseparable for much of the race, with Brookes edging ahead in a dramatic sprint finish off the final turn buoy. De Bilio’s performance also secured her the Under 23 women’s title, while Thames world record holder Brynde Kreft (Falcon Canoe Club) completed the senior podium in third.

With Dianora’s race putting her at the top of the Under 23 women, Sophie Dunlop (Elmbridge Canoe Club) took second in her first year out of juniors, with Jessie Urquhart (Nottingham Kayak Club) finishing third.

The canoe events featured a sole competitor, but a standout one: Hannah Toovey (Glasgow Kayak Club), who secured both the Senior Women’s C1 and Junior Women’s C1 titles.

In the Paracanoe KL categories, Jon White (Exeter Canoe Club) powered to victory in the men’s race, while Charlotte Creamer (Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club) added another national title to her name in the women’s event. Both won gold at the 2025 European Marathon Championships in their respective categories.

The junior races were among the most fiercely contested of the day, with spectators eagerly predicting podiums as the fields lined up. Before their senior race heroics, both Dianora De Bilio (Royal Canoe Club) and William Roeser (Wey Kayak Club) secured commanding wins in the junior girls’ and junior boys’ K1 races respectively.

The junior girls’ race produced a flurry of late‑race drama, with the final podium spots decided in the final 200 metres. Matilda Burton (Elmbridge Canoe Club) surged through to take second as well as the Under 16 title, while Imogen Field (Elmbridge Canoe Club) claimed third overall and second in the Under 16 category. In the Under 14 girls, Adriana De Bilio (Royal Canoe Club) took the win, followed by Edith Smerdon (Chelmsford Canoe Club) in second and Emily Wainwright (Nottingham Kayak Club) in third.

The junior boys’ race was equally intense. Sam Dickson (Falcon Canoe Club) secured second place, while Tyler Kinder (Reading Canoe Club) celebrated a hard-earned third after a close battle with Isaac Popham-Coveley (Falcon Canoe Club), who finished fourth. Doogal Barnett (Reading Canoe Club) dominated the Under 16 boys’ K1, with Finn Meredith (Elmbridge Canoe Club) and Edward Stroud (Wey Kayak Club) completing the podium. It was a successful day for the Barnett family, as Fergus Barnett (Reading Canoe Club) also claimed the Under 14 boys’ title, ahead of Marco Mangiantini (Royal Canoe Club) in second and George Ockenden (Elmbridge Canoe Club) in third.

In the Veteran Men’s K1, Matthew Enoch (Nottingham Kayak Club) delivered another confident performance to retain his title for another year, with Tom Dawson (Falcon Canoe Club) second and Juan Caruncho (Barking and Dagenham Canoe Club) third. Brett Sirrell (Royal Leamington Spa Canoe Club) took the Over‑54 men’s win, while Guy Holmes secured the Over‑64 men’s title.

The Veteran Women’s K1 final came down to yet another sprint finish, with Anja Whelan (Gloucester Canoe Club) taking the victory just ahead of Joanne Bates (Falcon Canoe Club), who also claimed the Over‑44 women’s title. Maggie Dilai (Nottingham Kayak Club) completed the overall podium in third. Lynne Fender (Nottingham Kayak Club) won the Over‑54 women’s category, and Jane Millar (Nottingham Kayak Club) topped the Over‑64 women’s field.

The Marathon Racing Committee are greatly appreciative to Manvers Waterfront Boat Club for their support and time to host this event. It was amazing to run a national event further north and a great opportunity to support the Northern and Scottish regions as well as showing off the amazing sport of canoe marathon to new communities. Despite the rain, the event went down well with an excellent site for racers and spectators alike. 

Mark Benton, Chair, Manvers Waterfront Boat Club said,
“We were delighted to welcome Paddle UK to Manvers for the Canoe Marathon Short Course Nationals. Hosting an event of this scale was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Manvers Lake and the surrounding area, and to welcome paddlers from across the UK to our site. It’s always great to see the venue supporting high‑profile sporting events and being enjoyed by so many competitors and spectators.”

The National Short Course Championships is one of the early events in the 2026 season, with the main National Long Course Championships taking place on the 11-12th July in Laleham. The tight racing across all categories as well as the intense podium battles at the Short Course event highlights the potential excitement of the season ahead. In terms of internationals, James Russell will compete at the marathon World Cup in China at the end of this month, with the European Championships taking place during the last week of June. Excitingly, the World Championships will take place in Argentina during the month of October, with a small but exceptional team due to be selected for it. To follow along, make sure you are keeping an eye on the Marathon Racing Committee website and social media channels (Facebook Page and Instagram Page). 

For full results from all heats and finals, please visit our live results page here.  

To access all photos taken by Antony Edmonds during the event, please visit Google Drive here. 

If you are interested in marathon racing, use the PaddleUK club finder to find your closest marathon racing club and get in touch. We have regional races taking place all over the country most weekends throughout the spring and summer as well as many amazing clubs offering community spaces. It can also be a great way to get out and enjoy the incredible British countryside too!

Volunteer to help at the 2026 National Short Course Championships!

   14 April 2026    National, Racing, Volunteers

The 2026 National Short Course Championships are taking place on Sunday 3rd May and we need you to help make it happen.

This event brings together paddlers, supporters, and clubs from across the country for an enjoyable and high energy day of racing. But behind every great championship is a team of dedicated volunteers who keep everything running smoothly. Whether you’re a seasoned event volunteer (national events or local club events) or completely new to volunteering, your contribution will make a real difference to ensure this event is the best it can possibly be.

So, why should you volunteer?

  • Be part of a major national event in canoe marathon
  • Support athletes as they take on one of the most exciting and newest format in marathon racing
  • Enjoy a fun, friendly atmosphere with fellow paddlers and supporters
  • Give back to the community that keeps our sport thriving – canoe marathon is entirely run and organised by volunteers so we rely on other volunteers to help too!

We’re looking for volunteers to help with:

  • Course marshalling
  • Boat driving (qualification required)
  • Check‑in and race control
  • Boat control
  • Time keeping
  • Commentary
  • Media support
  • Trophy presentation support
  • Car parking and/or general site management support
  • Set-up and pack-down
  • First aider

No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in. You will be supported and guided by experienced volunteers in any role you are allocated to. The more volunteers we get, the more support every volunteer will have and the less time each volunteer will have to commit to (so more time to enjoy the racing too!).

If you can spare even just a few hours and want to support this amazing discipline and community, please fill out the volunteer form here.

Thank you for helping us deliver a fantastic championship. Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without the support of volunteers, and the Marathon Racing Committee are incredibly grateful for every person who steps forward.

National Short Course Championships 2026 Entries Now Open!

   14 April 2026    National, Racing

The entries for the 2026 National Short Course Championships are now open!

The Marathon Racing Committee are super excited to be taking this year’s championships to Manvers Waterfront Boat Club for the very first time. Make sure you get your entry in by Sunday 26th April (11:59pm) to avoid late entry fees and to ensure we can organise heat draws and confirm the final schedule.

We look forward to another exciting and action-packed day of racing at a brand new marathon location!

Notice: Change in 2026 Hasler Finals Date

   22 March 2026    National, Racing

The Marathon Racing Committee have been notified by the 2026 Hasler Finals host club of the need to move the event date to the 13th September. It was previously advertised as the 20th September.

This date change is out of necessity by the Richmond Canoe Club for the event to happen and the MRC apologises for any disruption this might cause.

We look forward to another successful Hasler Finals event on the 13th September.

Paddle England Assembly – Join now!

   15 March 2026    Governance, National, Volunteers

If you have a passion for paddling and want to help shape the future direction of travel, the new Paddle England Assembly presents an opportunity to influence at a national level.


We are looking for individuals who are thoughtful, open-minded and passionate about the future of paddling. You do not need to hold a formal position or title. What matters most is your perspective, your experience, and your willingness to contribute constructively.

Serving on the new Paddle England Assembly is a unique opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future. Members recruited will contribute their skills and experience to national discussions, connect with a broad cross-section of the paddling community and help ensure paddling remains inclusive, progressive and community-led. Membership of the Assembly will be drawn from different paddling communities, helping to ensure diversity of thought, challenge, and innovation. This approach supports more inclusive, informed, and effective development of paddling opportunities across England.

By bringing together voices from different disciplines, backgrounds and communities, the
Assembly will help ensure diverse experiences are heard and valued, encourage healthy debate and fresh thinking, support more inclusive and informed decision-making and help shape priorities and future plans for paddling in England.

We will be recruiting up to twelve members to form the Assembly, drawn from across the paddling spectrum, including:

  • Competition paddlers
  • Recreational paddlers (including at least one member under the age of 18)
  • Delivery partners and uniformed groups
  • Independent paddlers

The creation of the Paddle England Assembly was agreed as part of the constitutional review completed in November 2024. It is an important step in strengthening how paddling is shaped, supported, and developed across England.

All applicants must be Paddle UK members who are based in England. There are similar bodies in place for our colleagues at Paddle Scotland, Paddle Cymru and Paddle Northern Ireland.

If interested and keen to give canoe marathon representation, apply here now.

Canoe Marathon Major National Events & Dates 2026 – Get them in your diary!

   14 January 2026    ACM, Athletes, Governance, National, Racing

The Marathon Racing Committee are excited to finally confirm all the dates and venues for the 2026 Major Events. The variety of venues and locations, particularly new ones, makes 2026 a great time to get racing as much as you can!

Thank you to Manvers Lake Trust and Boathouse, Wey Kayak Club and Richmond Canoe Club for supporting canoe marathon by hosting and organising one of our major national events this year.

Keep your eyes peeled for a confirmation of the ACM date and further details on all our major events in the coming months!

National Schools Canoe Championships 2025 – Entries now open!

   15 October 2025    Athlete Development, National, Racing, Schools Racing

Entries for the 2025 National Schools Canoe Championships are now open via the marathon racing entries system here.

The National Schools Canoe Championships are jointly organised by the Devizes to Westminster (DW) Race Organisation and the Paddle UK Marathon Racing Committee to promote schools canoeing in the UK by providing an event specifically for inter-school competition. Particularly, the MRC and DW Organisation want to promote schools having an active involvement in getting students on the water and in boats.

It provides the opportunity for racing against paddlers from other school teams, particularly for crews preparing for the DW season, both returning 2025 crews and new crews making preparations for 2026.

For full information and full detail on the criteria for entries, please visit the entries page here.

Any queries should go directly to the race organisers:

  • Gareth Scragg – Junior Teams Liaison, Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
  • Holly Mobbs – MRC Junior Development Lead

MRC Statement re Hasler Finals Double Promotions Queries

   12 October 2025    National, Racing

The Marathon Racing Committee would like to thank Worcester Canoe Club for another exceptionally run major national event last week. It was brilliant to see so many clubs and their members engaging with marathon racing from Geoff Sanders categories all the way to Division 1. It truly demonstrated that marathon racing is for everyone; no matter the age, ability or experience.

We would also like to congratulate Elmbridge Canoe Club for retaining the Hasler Series trophy. Will any club be able to challenge their current dominance in 2026?

Following a review by the ranking officer, several additional promotions have been made, including adjustments made on the day. The on-the-day results and points announced on the day will stand.

Hasler Finals 2025 – Entries now Open!

   13 September 2025    National, Racing

The 2025 Hasler Finals will take place on Sunday 5th October in Worcester, marking the conclusion to a busy and hard-fought club Hasler season. This event brings together the top qualifying clubs from across the country to battle it out for the coveted Club Hasler Trophy, as well as many other trophies available for individual paddlers results.

Alongside the Hasler Finals, the Under 14 Geoff Sanders competition also reaches its climax. This is the final opportunity for clubs to earn points toward the club Geoff Sanders Trophy, and unlike the main Hasler races, no prior qualification is required, making it a fantastic chance for newer paddlers to get involved and experience the excitement of national-level racing.

For full details and to enter, head over to the entries page.

2025 National Canoe Marathon Championships – How to follow along!

   25 July 2025    National, Racing

This weekend sees Norwich play host to the biggest annual canoe marathon event in the country. We are super excited to see some tight racing and who manages to claim (or reclaim!) national championship titles.

Whether you are a member of the canoe marathon community or someone who has never watched canoe marathon before, there are lots of ways you can follow along with all the action over both days of racing.

In Person and Locally

If you are local to Norwich, head down Norwich Canoe Club in Whitlingham Country Park (NR14 8TR) from 9am on Saturday 28th or 8:30am on Sunday 27th to catch some racing in person. There will be commentary, food stands, trade stands, starts, finishes and one of the two portages taking place in this location so lots of action to watch! Racing will typically finish around 4:30pm each day. A particular highlight will be the Mixed K2 (2-person Kayak) race on Sunday starting at 3:00pm. Check out some of the links below for further information.

Online

Throughout the weekend, the Marathon Racing Committee and Norwich Canoe Club will be providing coverage via live streams, stories and posts on their social media channels, particularly their Instagram’s. Click the names above to gain access to both accounts.

There will also be live results published throughout the day via the Norwich Canoe Club website or the our website live results page.

Further Information

Live entries can be now be viewed here.

A full timetable of events and classes can be found here as well as the full details on the courses for each class.

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