Canoeist dies in final stages of 125-mile Devizes to Westminster endurance race that is tougher than the London Marathon
Race directors ‘saddened’ to report the person had died yesterday on last leg
First death in 71-year history and happened between Richmond and Westminster
Came amid warnings high temperatures and low river speeds had made it harder
A canoeist has died in the final stage of the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster race.
Race directors were ‘saddened’ to report the fatality on the last leg between Richmond in west London and Westminster Bridge.
The death was the first in the event’s 71-year history and came amid warnings that high temperatures and the slow river was making the challenge harder than usual.
Race directors were ‘saddened’ to report the person had died yesterday during the four-day event. File photo of this year’s race
The 125-mile race (illustrated on this map) is considered one of the toughest endurance challenges around
The four-day event is considered one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges and harder than the London Marathon.
Competitors pass through 77 locks during the race, which begins along the Kennet and Avon Canal in Wiltshire before moving to the River Thames for 55 miles and ending at Westminster Bridge.
In 2012, five times Olympic gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave dropped out of the contest due to ‘tiredness’ after getting through 87 miles of the 125-mile route.
