Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon
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The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon is a marathon canoe race in England. The race is held every Easter over a course of 125 miles (201 kilometres) from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster in central London. It has been run since 1948. Starting at Devizes wharf, the route follows the Kennet and Avon canal for 54 miles to Reading, where it joins the Thames. Another 54 miles later it reaches Teddington Lock, ending 17 miles later at Westminster Bridge.
Famous personalities to own a coveted DW medal are former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Paddy Ashdown, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Rebecca Stephens, the first woman to climb Everest solo.
Route
The race follows the Kennet and Avon Canal from Devizes through Pewsey, Hungerford and Newbury to Reading. From Reading the race follows the non-tidal River Thames through Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor, Staines and Kingston before reaching the tidal River Thames at Teddington Lock. The tidal river is followed through the western suburbs of London until Westminster is reached.
Classes
The Junior Doubles and Junior/Veteran: Two in a boat, there are four stages with overnight stops:
- Stage 1: Devizes to Newbury (34 miles)
- Stage 2: Newbury to Marlow (36 miles)
- Stage 3: Marlow to Teddington (38 miles)
- Stage 4: Teddington to Westminster (17 miles)
Senior Doubles: Timed continuously from the moment they start, until either they reach Westminster, or they admit defeat (which accounts for one third of the entries, rising to half in 1998).
External links
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