The Tunnel Rats from the Cranbourne and Boronia fire brigades enter the Red Cross Murray Marathon. From left: David Gorman, Troy Thornton, Kevin Randall and Simon Lehman.By Tania Martin
BATTLING extreme heat, Cranbourne volunteer firefighter David Gorman was one of 800 canoeists who took up the challenge of the 2005 Red Cross Murray Marathon.
The marathon is known as the longest canoe race in the world and covers 404 kilometres in five days.
Starting in Yarrawonga, canoeists battle the hot sun along the Murray River to Swan Hill.
Mr Gorman said he was absolutely elated to have finished the marathon and as a first-time competitor would definitely try it again in a couple of years’ time
He said the first three days of the marathon were hot with temperatures in the high 30s and 40s, but on the final day, when crossing the finish line into Swan Hill, the mercury hit 47 degrees.
“It was stinking hot up there, but it was a fantastic experience,” Mr Gorman said.
He said the fun factor of the marathon and the comradeship between competitors was the highlight of the event.
The event started on Tuesday, 27 December in Yarrawonga and travelled along the Murray River to Tocumwal, then on to Cobram and Moroco to Picnic Point and Echuca and then to Torrumbarry, Murrabit and Swan Hill.
Mr Gorman joined a group of firefighters from Boronia to take up the challenge of the marathon.
The team, the ‘Tunnel Rats’, included four paddlers and two support crew.
Although the team didn’t get a placing in the marathon it was elated to cross the finish line.
Leading up to the marathon the four paddlers trained individually at the gym whenever they could, and all got together at the Sandringham Yacht Club every Saturday to practise their paddling techniques.
The Tunnel Rats raised money for the marathon through a raffle with the tickets provided from the Australian Red Cross, and also by gaining sponsorship from the Union Australia Tooling Company, Boronia Fire Brigade, Anaconda and Power Bar.
Marathon entry was $350 per person and the team raised $1400 through its fundraising efforts.
Crossing the finish line in Swan Hill, Mr Gorman said he felt elated and a great sense of achievement, especially considering the amount of work the whole team put in.
