The Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race - Mike Bott and Adrian Clark

Over Easter Weekend one of the longest non-stop canoe races in the World takes place.  Starting at Devizes in Wiltshire, scores of paddlers will set off on a 125 mile epic trip. The first 54 miles will be along the Kennet & Avon canal and the remaining 71miles down the Thames . There are 77 locks to be portaged, which requires that competitors have to carry and run with their boats in order to save time at locks. They will also have to paddle throughout the night to arrive at Teddington  in time to take advantage of the ebb tide in order to reach the finish at Westminster in London. www.dwrace.org.uk/

We are both veteran paddlers, and new to racing, but have been training hard for the event since November last year, and will be competing in the K2 Senior Doubles class. We are hoping to complete the event in about 27 hours but the main objective is just to finish. Mike is pushing 70 years old and Adrian is forty five, and we are are in no doubt that the event will be extremely demanding on both our physical and mental stamina. We will have a strong support crew of volunteers who have given up their own time to assist us along the way with food, water, dry clothing and much needed encouragement. However we will have to do all the lifting and carrying ourselves.

As well as hoping to achieve the challenge of completing this event, we hope to raise some much needed money for the Sam Beare Hospice which does an amazing job in providing care and comfort for so many people.

This Hospice is struggling to survive so any donations would be gratefully appreciated.  

Thank you so much for your support.

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