National Short Course Championships
The Short Course format was introduced to international marathon racing by Paddle Worldwide to showcase the technical skills, speed and excitement of the sport in a shorter, spectator-friendly race. Competitors race over a 3.6km course featuring three laps and two portages, creating fast-paced and highly competitive racing from start to finish.
In 2022, the Marathon Racing Committee launched the National Short Course Championships, with the inaugural event taking place at Nene Park, Peterborough. Since then, the championships have become a highlight of the domestic racing calendar, bringing together paddlers from across the country to compete for national titles.
The competition features heats and finals, with athletes needing to qualify through the heats to earn a place in the championship final and the chance to become National Short Course Champion.
Separate men’s and women’s championship events are held in the following classes:
- Senior K1
- Senior C1
- Paracanoe (recognised single-boat classes)
- Junior K1
- Masters/Veteran (35+) K1
The National Short Course Championships deliver some of the most exciting racing in the sport. Fast starts, frequent changes of position, technical portages and close sprint finishes combine to create a thrilling spectacle for both competitors and spectators alike.