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National marathon racing events

The MRC, and Reading CC have decided that it will not be possible, at this stage, to run the national “return to racing” event provisionally planned for 4th October.

While it may be possible to run a format which limits the size of groups racing, ensuring that national events are COVID-safe “on the bank” is more complicated. The riverside at Reading is publicly owned and open to the public. Events which do not involve national or cross-regional travel, or where large on-the-bank gatherings can be avoided, also constitute a lower risk while the virus still needs to be controlled.

The MRC is nevertheless working with Regional Marathon Advisors to identify ways we can get clubs racing each other again, even if at a local level at this stage.

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Return to Racing and Events

Following the government announcement on 9th July, British Canoeing has announced that planning can now begin for the reintroduction of competitions and events in England from 1st August 2020.

Detailed information and links can be found here.

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Race Cancellations

Due to the on-going uncertainties with Covid-19, Pangbourne CC have taken the decision to cancel their 2020 Hasler race which was due to run on 13 September.

Banbury and District CC have also cancelled their Hasler race (25 October) due both to the virus and the building works in the town restricting access to the water, thus making it unlikely it could be run safely.

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Change to Hasler Points system

The MRC has decided to change the system of Hasler Point allocation, with effect from the new season on 1st September. This change has been published in the 2020 marathon rules including the Racing Handbook.

From 1st September, the system will allocate 50 points per seat for a win, as opposed to the current 20. Points will fall by one per place as currently, up to the cut-off of 110% of the race winner’s time, after which all finishers receive 1 point. Other rules relating to point scoring remain unchanged.

The change is designed to encourage paddlers to continue to race for club points in bigger races (i.e. where there are more than 20 starters)

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The Marathon Racing Committee

The Marathon Racing Committee exists to encourage club, regional, national and international marathon canoeing events.

The MRC committee comprises members elected by racing clubs at the Annual Consultative Meeting (usually held at the National Championships), and each member serves a two-year term (excepting the Chair who serves a one-year term). Its regulations can be downloaded here: MRC REGULATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

The MRC meets several times a year. If you have any questions or issues to raise, please contact the Chairman or Secretary. Members for 2019-20 are as follows:-

Stan Missen (Chair), Bradford on Avon CC

Mick Nadal (Vice Chair, Rules, Regions Co-ordinator, Event Safety), Nottingham KC

James Smythe (Secretary, Chair of Selection Committee, Comms), Bishops Stortford CC

Siobhan Urquhart (Comms, Jnr Athlete Development), Banbury CC

Kat Wilson (Safeguarding, Selection Committee, Snr Athlete Development), Reading CC

Nanette North (Club Development, Comms), Cambridge CC

David Enoch (Treasurer, Selection Committee), Nottingham KC

Scott Hynds (Coaching), Elmbridge CC

Roland Lawler (Rankings, Selection Committee)

Dyson Pendle (Selection Committee, Intl Kit)

Tom Sharpe (Race Management, Intl Event Planning), Richmond CC

Graham Warland (Intl Logistics, Calendar, Race Records, Race Organiser Liaison), Banbury CC

Dan Seaford (Race Management), Reading CC

Richard Ward (Coaching), Exeter CC

David Sackman (Intl Logistics), Reading CC

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BC update on competitions etc

British Canoeing have announced they are extending the cancellation of all domestic competitions, events and gatherings until 31 July 2020.  The full announcement can be found here.

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New marathon skills learning resources

The MRC has collated a set of useful resources that athletes, parents, clubs and coaches can use to support their racing development generally, and marathon racing skills.
 
Many thanks to Scott Hynds and Ivan Lawler who gave their permission for their materials to be shared here. We would love to add to these to make this resource as useful as possible, so if you have any to contribute, please let James know.

Click here to access the files on Google Drive