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Staunch effort from kayakers
HEMEL Hempstead Canoe Club's Erika Henson and Camilla Lennon braved the elements to complete the Devizes-Westminster kayak marathon.
The duo showed a steely determination after they paddled for just under 30 hours non stop in their tandem kayak.
They braved freezing blizzards to finish the 125 miles just as Big Ben struck 10 on Sunday night, clocking a time of 29 hours 43 minutes.
"It was toughest mentally," revealed Henson.
"You'd paddle for hours, get to a portage, get encouraged, fed and watered by our excellent support crew, then set off again and realise how little we'd actually been, and how far there was to go.
"It was hard to think of anything else, if I tried to change my thinking it'd go to how cold it was, and believe me it was cold!"
The bravery of the intrepid pair of kayakers was underlined by the fact that Lennon had torn a shoulder muscle during the race.
Undaunted, she carried on and completed the course, the longest of its type in the world, in a show of sheer bravery.
"It was exceedingly tough, but we just had to get on with it," said Lennon.
"Despite my torn shoulder I never entertained the thought of not finishing.
"By the end, at portages, every lift and every step was a struggle and on the water every paddle stroke was a huge effort."
The other Hemel entry, John Houston and Robin Oakley were forced to retire at the 15-mile mark.
Oakley unfortunately suffered a severe leg cramp at that point and although he tried battle on, the pair were forced to call it a day.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
