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RUAMAHUNGA KAYAK RACE 2009
posted: 15 September 2009 RUAMAHUNGA KAYAK RACE 2009
Thirty three paddlers gathered at Morrisons Bush, Glenmorvan to take part in this years’ annual Ruamahunga kayak race. It started as a very crisp Wairarapa morning, but by race start the sun was out, there was no wind and it developed into a stunning day. Weather report that night said we reached 18, very nice for early spring!
Twenty six paddlers competed in the 31km race and seven in the 19km race. The river was flowing at 53 cumecs, 40 cumecs less than 2008. (Those competitors who commented on their slower times will be relieved!)
Glenn Muirhead arrived at the Waihenga Bridge at Martinborough in the time of 45:18, closely followed by Les Morris (45:28). Grant Wilson, Doug Aplin and Jill Westenra came through the portage about 2 minutes later.
Within 56 minutes all of the competitors had travelled the first 12km and had passed the Waihenga Bridge.
Thirty minutes after the long course race had commenced, the seven short course competitors were underway.
Organisers and support crews headed to the finish at Pukio East via Martinborough, many stopping for a café fix on the way.
Ian Bowie, competing in the 19 km race, arrived at the finish in 1:18:05, with Sandy Winterton and Ben Candy just over two minutes later.
The first of the 31 km competitors, was Vet, Glenn Muirhead, who finished in 2:02:35, with Les Morris less than 3 minutes behind him. Jill Westenra was the first woman to finish in a time of 2:11:35.
Andrew Stace was the first Open Man in a time of 2:20:15 and Heather Kirkman first Open Woman in 2:21:51.
Congratulations to the Vet grade as seven Vets finished before the first Open competitor. No pressure though you young ones! Check out the full results in the kayak section of the website.
Two and a half hours after start time all competitors were finished and everyone was enjoying lunch, BBQ snarlers, a hot cuppa and the Wairarapa sunshine.
As always these events wouldn’t be possible without the competitors and their support crews who travel and take part. Great to see many regular entrants, as well as many new faces. We hope you enjoyed the day.
A big thanks to our helpers who make sure the event runs smoothly, access to the riverside via farms and to the sponsors for providing prizes.
It was great to see people supporting some of the sponsors as they travelled back through Martinborough. We hope to see you again next year.
Results 2009
31 KM PRIZE WINNERS
NAME TIME
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OPEN MEN
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1ST
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Andrew Stace
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2:20:15
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2ND
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Greg Taylor
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2:28:38
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OPEN WOMEN
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1ST
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Heather Kirkham
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2:21:51
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2ND
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VET MEN
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1ST
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Glenn Muirhead
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2:02:35
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2ND
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Les Morris
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2:05:03
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3RD
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Doug Aplin
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2:09:18
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VET WOMEN
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1ST
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Jill Westenra
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2:11:35
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2ND
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DOUBLES
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1ST
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JUNIORS
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1ST
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2ND
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19 KM PRIZE WINNERS
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OPEN MEN
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1ST
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Ian Bowie
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1:18:05
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2ND
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OPEN WOMEN
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1ST
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Katherine Allan
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1:27:17
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2ND
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VET MEN
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1ST
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Sandy Winterton
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1:21:34
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2ND
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Brian Sanders
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1:25:27
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VET WOMEN
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1ST
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2ND
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DOUBLES
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1ST
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Brian Pawson & Sam Judd
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1:36:52
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2ND
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JUNIORS
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1ST
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2ND
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