From Dusi to Comrades

Five members of the Florida Lake Canoe Club competed in the Comrades Marathon this weekend.

This forms part of their training as numerous marathon canoe races requires portaging, where paddlers get out of the water and run with their boats.

What makes marathon canoe races such as the Dusi difficult is the high steep slippery hills and cross country terrain through gorges and round rapids.

“Cross training has always been considered an important way to improve overall fitness, build stamina and endurance. With the Dusi being the world’s most difficult, longest canoe endurance event, many canoeists who are members of the Florida Lake Canoe Club train by running while many are also tri-athletes,” said Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas.

The canoe club’s Serge van Hee led the pack of canoeists and finished the Comrades Marathon with a time of 8:38:44.

Florida’s Michael Benci finished eight seconds behind Serge. This was Michael’s second time successfully completing the Comrades.

Next was Glen Staples who completed the race in 10:27 followed by Ross Kruger with a time of 10:37.

Gary Fleming, who was competing in his second ever Comrades crossed the finish line in a time of 11:26.

“As with all healthy fit athletes, there are certain goals on their bucket lists and Dusi and Comrades being among them. The club also recognises the top achievers who do these cross training events with an annual award presented to the best time of both Dusi and Comrades, as well as the best time between Comrades and the Fish river marathon,” said Jennie.