Brian Parsons and Gregory Murray paddle strongly on the first day of the annual Murray Marathon. 25796 By Melissa Grant
A DYNAMIC duo from Berwick rowed into first place in the 40th and final Red Cross Murray Marathon.
Brian Parsons and Gregory Murray, who have been friends for 15 years, were first to cross the line in the 50s recreation category, smashing a couple of hours off the record with a time of 35 hours 16 minutes.
The pair was among the record 1060 paddlers to take to the longest annual canoe race last month.
They rowed 404km – from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill – in five days.
Mr Murray, who first rowed with Mr Parsons a couple of years ago in a team race at the event, said the marathon wasn’t for the faint hearted.
“For two days my backside was sore but as you go you get used to it,” he said.
Mr Parsons, who completed his fifth Murray Marathon, said it was great just to take part in the race.
“It’s great that people can be doing the sport for so long,” he said.
“The (other) open guys just went up there for a paddle but they really enjoyed it, we were a bit more competitive.”
Mr Murray has been into canoeing since he was a young boy.
“As a kid my dad built canoes,” he said.
Mr Murray paddles an average of 60km/h a week. He is usually a sea kayaker, regularly paddling around Phillip Island and down at Lorne and Torquay.
Mr Parsons said his son Ross’s involvement in the annual event sparked his interest. When Ross, 23, a former captain of the Beaconhills College kayak team, finished school his father decided it was time to get off the riverbank and into the water.
Mr Parsons said the Murray Marathon start date of 27 December was a special day for him and his son as both celebrated their birthday on the river.
YMCA will sponsor the 2009 Murray Marathon.
