New Record for the Devizes to Westminster Race

Keith Moule and Tom Sharpe rewrite the Record Books
Chelmsford Canoe Club’s Keith Moule and K2 partner Tom Sharpe of Richmond Canoe Club, won the 125 mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in 15 hours 19 minutes and 35 seconds, smashing 15 minutes off the race record which had stood since 1979.
The iconic race, which celebrated its 75th Anniversary this year, starts in Devizes, Wiltshire, follows the Kennet and Avon canal to Reading, where the racer’s transfer to the Thames for the journey to Westminster Bridge.
Keith and Tom began their race early Saturday evening, as the last starter of the day, they made great progress reeling in the rivals who had started ahead of them and quickly getting ahead of record pace. With good flow on the Thames and consistent help from their support crew, they maintained their pace through the night approaching Teddington and the Tideway with the record in sight catching the high tide as the sun begun to rise. A strong finish saw them complete the tideway in 1hr 44mins arriving to Westminster to loud cheers from the crowd of race fans who had been tracking their journey through the night.
Keith and Tom were exhausted but ecstatic at the finish, relieved to have achieved their target and to have broken the record set before either of them were born.