Nearly half canoe racers fall by wayside

9:33am Monday 24th March 2008

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THE Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race is earning its reputation as the canoeists' Everest after nearly half the competitors in the senior doubles race pulled out before the end.

The latest results on the race website showed that, while 61 competitors finished, 54 pulled out and another nine were still out on the water.

The race has been won by Ollie Harding of the Longridge Canoe Club and Richard Hedron of the Richmond Canoe Club in 17 hours 32 minutes and 30 seconds, while Dave Pedlar and Stuart West of Worcester Canoe Club were second in 17:33:15.

Third spot was taken by John Edyvean of Fowey River Canoe Club and Tristram Turner of Bristol Canoe Club in 17:37:26.

The times reflected the challenging weather conditions with snow and high winds making the going extremely difficult. Three-foot waves were reported along some stretches of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Among the casualties along the way were Wadworth brewery employees Glyn Merritt and David Walker, who retired after 13 hours and 20 minutes, and Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteers Brian Tiernan and Aidy Turner who had to pull out of the race after an exhausting 22 hours and 35 minutes.

Tidworth-based Major David Bradley, who was severely injured while serving in Iraq, finished with fellow paddler Steve Vinall in 47th place in under his target time of 28 hours. The two men reckon to have raised over £11,000 for the charity Help for Heroes.