Sport
26 May, 2025
Good competition in milestone race
MORE than 30 paddlers celebrated and competed in the 15th anniversary of the Barron River Challenge over the weekend with a challenging course delivering some close competition.
An overflowing Tinaroo Dam delivered a healthy flow on each day of the split race, with the 20km race finishing on Saturday and the 50km race taking place over both Saturday and Sunday.
The return of the wet seasons also delivered a challenging river course that tested even the most experienced paddlers.
The winner of the Barron River Challenge 20 was Atherton farmer Tony Marnane who narrowly edged out Tinaroo paddler John Westcott.
Local high school teacher Brad Weaver put together a great race to claim the third male placing.
Former Mareeba school teacher Jamie McPaul dominated the female category in her blue K1 kayak.
Leith Hawke, paddling a double kayak with husband Dave, secured second place in the female category ahead of Jane and Shiloh Gunton.
Special recognition was given to 76-year-old Chris Souter from Cairns and 74-year-old Steve McLay from the Sunshine Coast, who both finished with respectable times.
The Barron River Challenge 50 was taken out by Gregory Marathon legend and now Mareeba local, John van Ryt.
Van Ryt paddled a near perfect line down Oak Forest rapid on day two to make up a two-minute deficit to Steve Jenje, another elite paddler from Mount Isa who placed second in the recent 50th Gregory River Marathon by a slender 48 seconds.
After a lengthy swim at Oak Forest, Jenje had to settle for second place once again as van Ryt waited at the Kuranda beach finish line to claim his 4th Barron River Challenge title by 32 seconds.
He put up an impressive time for the 52km course, completing it in 4h 34m 17s. The third male across the line was Adventure racing sensation Mark Wilson from Cairns.
Nicky Donaldson was able to claim the title of ‘Barroness’ along with the coveted glass barramundi trophy in her second attempt of the Barron River Challenge 50 course.
Donaldson paddled a K2 with paddling partner Geoff Pearce, who completed his 11th BRC.
The 15th Barron River Challenge, hosted by the Tinaroo Canoe Club, was opened by Mareeba Leagues Club CEO Lucy Conner and Deputy Mayor Cr Lenore Wyatt.
Cr Wyatt highlighted that it was Volunteers Week and events run by nonprofit organisations like the Tinaroo Club are only possible with the help of a great band of volunteers.
This point was once again emphasised by BRC race coordinator Terry McClelland after the awards ceremony on Kuranda beach.
RESULTS
BRC20
1st - Tony Marnane (2:03:16)
2nd - John Westcott (2:04:39)
3rd - First female Jamie McPaul (2:07:33)
4th - Third male Brad Weaver (2:10:23)
5th - Leith and David Hawke (2:12:46)
BRC50
1st - John van Ryt (4:34:17)
2nd - Steve Jenje (4:34:49)
3rd - Mark Wilson (4:44:04)
4th - Nicky Donaldson and Geoff Pearce (4:48:06)
5th - Rob Smythe (5:10:16)
