12 February 2014
South Africa’s 2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon gets under way on Thursday. Contested over three days between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, it is recognised as one of the world’s biggest and toughest canoe marathons. Check out some fast facts on the event, arranged by number:
1 – Dead heats in the history of the Dusi: Ian Player/Fred Schmidt and Ernie Pearce/Bob Templeton in 1954.
2 – Paddlers required in a boat in a K2 championship year, such as 2014.
3 – Dusi titles that Andy Birkett, who will be partnering Sbonelo Zondi in 2014, has won (2010, 2011 and 2012).
3 – Compulsory portages on the Dusi route: Dusi Bridge, Nqumeni Hill and Inanda Dam wall.
4 – The number of stand-up paddleboarders who are set to make history by competing in the 2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon.
5 – Times Abby Adie has finished second in the women’s race, a record she will hope to change in 2014.
6 – Days taken by Dusi founder Ian Player to complete the first Dusi.
7 – K3s (three-seater kayaks) entered for Dusi 2014.
8 – Career wins that Abbey Ulansky (nee Miedema) has achieved, two with her 2014 partner Robyn Kime.
14 – The age of the youngest entrant of Dusi 2014, Stacy Green.
15 – The most ever Dusi victories by an individual, the late “Dusi King” Graeme Pope-Ellis.
18 – The minimum weight in kilograms of a Dusi K2 (double-seater kayak).
28 – The most ever K2 finishes as a pair: Ellison Hind and Graham Pole.
41 – International paddlers taking part in Dusi 2014.
46 – The most Dusis completed by any individual, the late “Dusi King” Graeme Pope-Ellis.
60 – Charity Batch places available from which the Dusi uMngeni Conservation Trust and the Dusi Canoe Marathon Charity benefit.
62 – Editions of the Dusi Canoe Marathon to have been held prior to 2014.
75 – The age of the oldest entrant for Dusi 2014, Lionel Benham.
119.62 – The exact distance in kilometres of the race, using the current conventional route.
1951 – The year of the first ever Dusi Canoe Marathon.
1981 – The year of the first Dusi to allow female competitors.
2008 – The year Thulani Mbanjwa, who is partnering Lance Kime in 2014, became the first black paddler to win the Dusi.
SAinfo reporter
