PICTURES | Dusi Canoe Marathon gets underway in Pietermaritzburg

14 February 2019 - 12:57

By Jackie Clausen

Image: Jackie Clausen Sbonelo Khwela navigating through at Mission Rapids on Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon. He came in first place.

There were thrills and spills in the Dusi Canoe Marathon on day 1 with Race favourite Andy Birkett battling over the rocks at Mission rapids and coming in 1 minute and 20 seconds behind Sbonelo Khwela.

Early race leader Hank McGregor took a spill at Taxi rapids and lost 25 minutes in the Dusi Canoe marathon early on Thursday.

Andy Birkett battles over the rocks at Mission Rapids on Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon. He came in second behind Sbonelo Khwela.

Image: Jackie Clausen Andy Birkett battles over the rocks at Mission Rapids on Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon. He came in second behind Sbonelo Khwela.

Tamika Haw won the ladies race ahead of Christie Mackenzie.

Image: Jackie Clausen Tamika Haw won the ladies race ahead of Christie Mackenzie.

The Dusi Canoe Marathon is a marathon canoe race held over three days between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

Image: Jackie Clausen Thulani Mbanjwa racing in Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

It is run along the Msunduzi and Mgeni Rivers over a total distance of 120 kilometres.

Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett battle it out under the Commercial road bridge at the start of Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Image: Jackie Clausen Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett battle it out under the Commercial road bridge at the start of Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

The race attracts between 1600 and 2000 paddlers each year, making it the biggest canoeing event on the African continent.

It is organised by the Natal Canoe Club.

Image: Jackie Clausen Alan Houston paddling through Mission Rapids at the start of Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

The clubhouse is located on the banks of the Msunduzi River, at the exact start point of the race.

Image: Jackie Clausen Spectators and Maritzburg College boys' school pupils watch the start of the Dusi Canoe Marathon in Pietermaritzburg.