CAPE TOWN – Entries open on Wednesday for the AJM Breede River Marathon, with the 2025 race on September 6-7 heralding in a new era for one of South Africa's major paddling events.
As a true test of all round canoeing skill and fitness, the two-day event is traditionally one of the highlights for paddlers from all over South Africa, and has this week been given a boost with the news that AJM have taken over the title sponsorship.
The two day marathon – from Robertson to Bonnievale on Day One and then on to Swellendam on Day Two – has also been designated as the Western Province K2 (doubles) Championships.
Defending champions this year will be KZN's Hank McGregor and his Western Cape partner Uli Hart, while the Western Cape pairing of Kira Bester and Melanie Van Niekerk will defend their women's title.
The standard of the event can be judged by the fact the both men's and women's winners from last year are stars of the international stage and both podiums were graced by current or former World Champions.
McGregor, with 11 Marathon World Championship titles behind his name, is the world's most decorated kayak paddler, and the man to beat every time he starts an event. Bester is the reigning World Surfski Champion and her 2024 Breede River Marathon victory was a key element in the build-up to her victory in Portugal in November.
With the WP K2 Championship title adding to the prestige of the 2025 event, the who's who of competitive racers in South Africa are once again expected to fill the top of the entry list. Meanwhile, many of the province's less competitive paddlers will take on the challenge of an event that provides a balanced test of tricky rapids, daunting weirs and stretches of flatwater that reward fitness and raw speed.
The new sponsorship was welcomed by the canoeing community this week and looks sure to raise the profile of the event.
Leonard Willemse, a Director at AJM, said he is excited about the new partnership.
"AJM is proud to support the Breede Rivier Canoe Marathon as title sponsor," said Willemse. "This event celebrates our values of resilience, excellence, and community. Our hope is that this partnership not only supports the growth of the marathon, but also inspires every athlete to reach new personal bests."
McGregor is looking forward to this year's event and said the involvement by the specialist tax and transaction advisors was "great news".
"I am really happy for the event," said McGregor when told about the new sponsor. "It is great news to hear there is a new sponsor on board. The Breede is a fantastic race in a beautiful time of the year in the Western Cape. Last year Uli and I had a fantastic race and I am really looking forward to it once again this year."
Entries will open on Wednesday on the Paddlesport SA entry system.
More info on www.breedemarathon.co.za
