27 December 2005

As a shot rang out across the might Murray River in Yarrawonga this morning, Swan Hill’s Rod Dewhurst experienced a distinct sense of déjà vu.

47-year-old Dewhurst is fast becoming a legend after embarking on his tenth Red Cross Herald Sun Murray Marathon.
 
Dewhurst and his teammate, Nicole Dinkgreve, joined 784 other competitors on the river at 7.00am when the first boats set out for the longest internationally accredited canoe event in the world.
 
Dewhurst said he was competing in the Marathon for “a bit of fun” and his spirits were buoyant this morning as he set off for the first 92 kms of the 404 km race.

“I’m not looking to breaking any records,” he said.

“We just want to get to the end really and have a bit of fun along the way.”

47-year-old Dewhurst met Dinkgreve on a past Marathon and since then he has assisted her as a land crew support, but this year they join forces together on the water.

“That’s what brings me back each year – paddling with my mates,” Dewhurst said.

Dewhurst and Dinkgreve are competing in the C2 Mixed Open division of the Marathon.

The event began back in the summer of ’69 when ten school friends came together in seven canoes to battle the Murray River in order to raise $250 for Australian Red Cross.

Since then, the Red Cross Herald Sun Murray Marathon has become one of Australia’s oldest and most respected sporting traditions.

 The 2005 Red Cross Herald Sun Murray Marathon has raised more than $320,000 for Red Cross community and emergency services.