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Red Cross Murray Marathon
This year we celebrate the 40th and final Red Cross Murray Marathon. The Red Cross Murray Marathon, one of world's longest annual canoe races, covers a distance of 404km in five days, taking paddlers from Yarrawonga through to Swan Hill in Victoria, Australia. Organised by Red Cross, funds raised during the Marathon are channeled back into the provision of vital community programs and emergency services.
A record 1060 paddlers, 250 volunteers and over 3000 crew members are taking part in the event as it moves as a tent city from town to town. Paddlers share the experience of being challenged, the magic and camaraderie of paddling down the Murray River and in between all this fun, supporting Red Cross.
2008 Marathon Timetable
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Date |
Day |
Start |
Finish |
Distance |
Campsite 2008 |
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26th Dec - FINAL SCRUTINEERING AND BRIEFING |
Tocumwal Football Reserve |
|
27th Dec |
Day 1 |
Yarrawonga |
Tocumwal |
94 km |
Tocumwal Football Reserve |
|
28th Dec |
Day 2 |
Tocumwal |
Picnic Point |
96 km |
Echuca Football Ground |
|
29th Dec |
Day 3 |
Picnic Point |
Echuca |
76 km |
Echuca Football Ground |
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30th Dec |
Day 4 |
Echuca |
Torrumbarry |
63 km |
Cohuna Football Ground |
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31st Dec |
Day 5 |
Murrabit |
Swan Hill |
75 km |
Swan Hill - Ken Harrison Reserve |
Presentations - 31 December - Ken Harrison Reserve, Swan Hill
6.30 pm junior presentation
7.30 pm presentations
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The 40th Red Cross Murray Marathon- day by day
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Day one, 27 December: Yarrawonga to Tocumwal
One thousand and sixty-six paddlers took off from 7.00 am for the beginning of a five-day, 404-km race to Swan Hill that will see paddlers arriving just in time for New Year's Eve.
Standing out from the crowd at the start line in his fluorescent hat, shirt and Crocs was Mark Thornthwaite, the founder of the marathon and the first paddler into the water when the race began back in 1969. Mr Thornthwaite is hitting the water again this year as part of an amateur relay team completing the course in a four-person boat.
School groups kept many entertained with robust chanting as their team boats were launched and the K4 Challenge kicked off with a splash in red, green and blue.
The current record for completing the marathon stands at 24 hours and 18 minutes and this year a number of competitors are looking to beat this time.
An impressive $11,600 was raised from an auction of boat numbers. Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School picked up boat numbers 1 and 404, Mick Dinkgreve picked up number 2, and the K4 Challenge blue team picked up number 3.
Day two, 28 December: Tocumwal to Picnic Point
Day two of the Red Cross Murray Marathon proved a gruelling one for paddlers. The longest day, beginning at Tocumwal, arrives 96 km down river at Picnic Point - one of the most beautiful points in the 404-km course.
Preliminary times show Tony Zerbst from Albury in the lead for the first line honors with a seven hour, 19 minute and 35 second time. Victorian Willy Morris is heading up the handicap for overall Red Cross Murray Marathon winner. The school open relay is hotting up, with Trinity Grammar taking line honours today.
Day three, 29 December: Picnic Point to Echuca
Day three started in the beautiful surrounds of the Barmah State Forest. Support crews were the heroes of the day, providing encouragement to exhausted paddlers.
Veteran fundraisers for the Red Cross Murray Marathon and 12-strong team of mates from Werribee and Sunbury, team Black-Az showed up in their open-roof hot rod and by the end of the day were holding third place in their TC2 open relay competition.
The dedicated team has raised over $60,000 in the six years they have been competing in the event.
Willy Morris and Tony Zerbst continued their lead and Trinity Grammar again took out line honours.
Day four, 30 December: Echuca to Torrumbarry
Day four began with grey skies and rain, but nothing was going to dampen the spirits of the paddlers. A sea of red descended upon the river at Echuca as paddlers began the 76 km journey to the finish line.
Red Day, traditionally held on day four of the race, saw participants hit the water in a variety of vibrant outfits. Race starter Paul Andrews stole the show by taking the opportunity to dress as an eighteenth century British navel soldier.
By day's end, Willy Morris held the lead in boat 110, followed closely by Tony Zerbst and Tom Simmat.
Day five, 31 December: Murrabit to Swan Hill
The final and exciting 75-km stretch for paddlers. Spectators watched from the prime position of the old bridge at the start line as an irreverent Reverend 'blessed' the boats, dressed for the occasion in white vestments and ceremonial head-dress, another long standing tradition of the event.
Albury man and race leader Tony Zerbst led the paddlers through the finish line at around 1.00 pm today, completing the gruelling five-day 404-km course in 25 hours, 51 minutes and 58 seconds.
Zerbst was followed in the overall results by Thomas Simmat from Belrose NSW, who completed the course in a time of 26 hours, six minutes and 11 seconds. Willy Morris from Beveridge Victoria took out third place after leading the race over the first three days. Morris achieved a time of 26 hours, 15 minutes and four seconds.
Final results are now available below
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2007 Red Cross Murray Marathon Merchandise
Missed out on purchasing some of the official merchandise from the 2007 Red Cross Murray Marathon?
Don’t despair – you can still purchase items. Click on the link to see what is still available.
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