Teams and individuals smash intense 53.4km Blackwood Marathon Relay over weekend

More than 500 competitors appeared for one of the most anticipated athletic events of the Blackwood region over the weekend.

The Bridgetown Rotary Club’s 2023 Blackwood Marathon Relay, which has been running since 1979, saw competitors and spectators flock to the South West for the relay event.

The weather was cool, yet completely sunny, leaving 514 racers competing in the heat that the sun brought on Saturday.

During the relay, participants covered 53.4km of the Blackwood River Valley over five legs, including 11.6km of running, 6.2km of canoeing along the Blackwood River, 1km of swimming, 16km of riding for equestrian riders, and the final leg of cycling which went for 18.6km.

Winning in the open category this year, and fastest overall, was Safety Brakes Revisited, once again, with the team consisting of runner Gerard Hill (who had the fastest time in the leg), canoer David Berglund, swimmer Kaiden Richings (fastest time in the leg), equestrian rider Cassandra Abbott, and cyclist Jeremy Smith (fastest time in the leg).

The team finished in 2hr 29min. 35sec., nearly half an hour ahead of Rusty Ironmen Bronze, who were second in the open category.

Rusty Ironmen Bronze team consisted of runner Lauren French, canoer Noah Boldy (fastest in his leg), swimmer Oliver Miles, rider Nic Fargher, and cyclist Garry Itzstein.

Fifth place team Highway Heroes had their equestrian rider Brigita Kotsi noted as having the fastest time during the equestrian leg of the race.

Dominating the iron categories, where competitors race the course solo, was Daniel Wiese and Sarah Wiese, who had defended her title from the 2022 Marathon.

Results

Open Category

1st: Safety Brakes Revisited - 2:29:35

2nd: Rusty Ironmen Bronze - 2:59:02

3rd: West Bridgetown Warriors - Clar - 3:02:33

4th: ERGT A - 3:11:15

5th: Highway Heroes - 3:11:47

Women’s Teams

1st: Racing4Ryder1 - 3:03:41

2nd: Rusty Ironmen Aqua - 3:31:34

Veterans Open

1st: Rusty Ironmen Gold - 2:44:20

2nd: Cornerstone Codgers - 3:08:51

Ladies Veterans

1st: Rusty Ironmen Pink - 3:36:19

Iron Man

1st: Daniel Wiese - 3:20:57

2nd: Francois Beukes - 4:13:20

Iron Ladies

1st: Sarah Wiese - 3:33:20

2nd: Emma Wiese - 3:51:45

Fastest Times

RUNNING: Gerard Hill (Safety Brakes Revisited) - 00:41:20

CANOEING: Noah Boldy (Rusty Ironmen Bronze) - 00:30:17

SWIMMING: Kaiden Richings (Safety Brakes Revisited) - 00:09:29

EQUESTRIAN: Brigita Kotsi (Highway Heroes) - 00:30:04

CYCLING: Jeremy Smith (Safety Brakes Revisited) - 00:31:51