While most people are getting ready to put their feet up and enjoy the summer break, more than 700 paddlers from throughout Australia and the world are ready to take on 404 km of the Murray River, all for a good cause.

On Wednesday, 27 December, the paddlers, supported by around 3000 land crew and volunteers, will set out from Yarrawonga to begin the annual Red Cross Murray Marathon adventure. Five days later they will arrive in Swan Hill ready to celebrate New Year's Eve.

The event attracts people of all ages and abilities, with elite athletes pushing to break records paddling alongside relay teams there for a laugh and a good cause. 

While paddling your guts out may not sound like a holiday to most of us, many paddlers return year after year citing friendship and scenery as the drawcards of the event.

Twenty-six-year-old Erin Lynch, of East Ringwood in Melbourne, has competed in the Red Cross Murray Marathon since 1996.  She embodies the community spirit of the event.  Over the years Erin has coached teams of younger paddlers, started a canoe club from scratch and created a new class of event, the K4 Challenge, to eliminate barriers to entry for those who have never paddled before.

Erin also met her partner, Mark, at the Red Cross Murray Marathon in 2002.

'It's the atmosphere, friendships and camaraderie that keep me coming back," she said.  "I push myself hard when I'm up there, but it's the best week of my life, and in such a beautiful landscape.'

One team competing this year won't have much time for the beautiful scenery - former event winners Nev Hargreaves and Simon Stenhouse have teamed together with two former Australian Kayak Team members, Tim Naughtin and Michael Leverett, to paddle the event in a new Olympic class four man kayak. "We're hoping to be the fastest boat on the river," said Nev Hargreaves.

At the other end of the spectrum, 56-year-old Ray Harkness of North Essendon has no such ambitions. Paddling in his home-made canoe constructed from corrugated iron, Ray will just be happy to make it to the finish line before it closes. "You've always got to have one crazy guy on the river," said Ray.

Fundraising for the Australian Red Cross is an integral part of the event. Participants raise vital funds to support Australian Red Cross community and emergency services, including the work currently being undertaken by hundreds of Red Cross volunteers in areas affected by bushfires.

The annual river adventure began in 1969, when Red Cross volunteer Mark Thornthwaite and some friends paddled the river to raise funds.  They raised $250.  Last year's event generated revenue of more than $350,000.