Narre Warren resident David Brown paddles towards the finish on day one of the Murray Marathon. Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Callan Date
A HOST of paddlers from across the City of Casey are resting up after completing the gruelling 404km Murray Marathon last month.
Residents from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills, Berwick and Cranbourne helped make up the more than 750 participants who paddled from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill in five days.
The event, which doubles as the world’s longest canoe race, is organised by Australian Red Cross. About $300,000 is expected to be raised from last month’s race.
Narre Warren’s David Brown competed in the challenging race for the fifth time.
The 53-year-old said he enjoyed the Murray Marathon because it raised money for the Red Cross, for the camaraderie on the water and for meeting the many different people along the way.
While Mr Brown did it all on his own, the Wanderers, a relay team of four from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills, Mulgrave and Berwick, shared the journey.
Vicki Xasfis said she “loves the punishment” of the event as well as the fundraising aspect. She said the marathon was a fun way to help out other people and have fun at the same time.
Ross Parsons, 22, paddled his eighth Murray Marathon last month. The event is a family affair for the Berwick resident with other family members heading up to the Murray to help act as his support crew.
Australian Red Cross executive director Andrew Hilton said the 2006 event raised almost $270,000.
