Chelmsford Canoe Club hosted paddlers from around the Eastern Region for the Chelmer Marathon on Sunday.

However, an assessment race and a re-scheduled Thames race dispersed most of the top two division paddlers, meaning only three boats went the longest distance to Paper Mill.

Mark Cole managed to finish second despite a late decision to race because of feeling unwell.

Newly promoted Mick Barry claimed the highest placed veteran's trophy in Division Five K1 while Graham Howe will be left wondering about promotion after decisively winning Division Six K1, followed by Graham Bloomfield in third place.

On the four mile course, Tracey Wilcox beat Scotchings from Leighton Buzzard to win Division Seven K1 and Christopher Howe followed them into third.

Cheryl Dunn was the highest placed lady after the first three in the same division.

After his victory at Huntingdon Alex Richards was pushed into second place in Division Eight K1 and Dave Groves was the highest placed Veteran.

Twenty-nine paddlers lined up for Division Nine K1 where David Linnell put his training to good use by finishing second with Owen Shepherd third.

Also in Division Nine Sue Cole took the first lady trophy and Lindsey Wilcox the highest placed U14 Girl.

Divisions 3/4 and 5/6 K2 were combined due to low entry in the higher division meaning Carl and Dean Williams had to race down a distance.

The consequent six minute time penalty finally placed them fourth after Tom Head/Mathew Dabbs in third.

The last minute partnership of Alex Heading/Alex Gibson proved worthwhile with them finishing strongly in second place between two crews from Barking & Dagenham in Division Nine K2.

The club trophy was once again won by the home club but not without some anxious moments from eventual runners-up, Leighton Buzzard.

They're off: Competitors in Sunday's Chelmer Marathon, which was hosted by Chelmsford Canoe Club, look for an early lead.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.