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The Cheshire Ring Race is a long distance challenge. 96 miles, 92
locks and 5 tunnels have to be navigated, ideally in less than 24 hours.
It started as a lads and dads event 40 years ago in
1977 when the Cheshire ring canal network was
re-opened. Poynton canoe club (which became
Macclesfield and District Canoe club, MADCC)
organised the first race. It has been run annually since
then apart from 2001, the foot and mouth year.
Despite the Cheshire Ring Race being organised
by Macclesfield and District Canoe Club, the club
have never, until this year, entered an all ladies
team. Neil Evans, a club coach had been trying
for a number of years to persuade enough ladies
to have a go. Finally in 2016, he succeeded.
Training was scheduled to start in January and Neil
organised ergo sessions with video feedback. In
addition, the club had weekly pool sessions and we
were encouraged to attend whenever possible.
Outdoor sessions were held on the Macclesfield canal
and these were more popular as the weather became
warmer. As spring turned into summer Neil convinced
us our technique was improving and began the task of
making up the 5 pairs. Once this had been established,
we were encouraged to train with our partners. Neil
was there at least twice a week to support, coach
and encourage us - he had us doing portage work,
very important given the large number of locks.
We decided to call ourselves the MADCC
women’s team ( Neil’s Riotous Potatoes). The
latter a reference to the Macclesfield Potato
Riot in 1812, and Neil’s gardening activities.
On Saturday June 24th we assembled at Poynton.
The boats and our equipment were checked by the
marshals and with a predicted finish time of 23 hours
we had been allocated an 08.30 start. Teams are
started in descending order, the slowest first with the
aim of everyone being back early on Sunday morning.
Our spirits were high and the weather was warm
and dry. Feryal and Julia paddled off to the cheers of
the supporters. Safely reaching Marple, Natalie and
Margaret took over for a run past the locks. 16 of
them, and 2 tunnels, so they were kept busy. Rose and
Charlotte went next, arriving in good time at Ashton.
Mother and daughter, Helen and Vicky had the difficult
paddle to Manchester with 18 locks to be portaged.
Anna was to go next but had no partner. Neil sent
Margaret with her as she had done this leg previously.
There are 9 locks, a run underground and a run along
the famous Canal Street in Manchester. The canoe
club had marshals out at many points to show the
way, they were always a welcome sight in their yellow
T shirts, offering encouragement and titbits of food.
And so we continued. Neil deciding who would
paddle with Anna, so that no one would get too
tired. There was great camaraderie, everyone
supporting each other. The night sections were hard
and great concentration was needed, but there
were no mishaps; and as dawn broke, everyone’s
spirits lifted. We reached the final change over
point, and now we knew we would succeed. Helen
and Vicky paddled back to Poynton giving us a
finish time of 20 hours, 39 minutes and 20 seconds.
What a brilliant result, we were all elated.
Of course, it is not just about the paddling. Support
vehicles accompanied us all the way. Neil drove
his van and transported the boats. His knowledge
of the Cheshire Ring meant we were always in
safe hands. We had 2 other support cars to help
and without them we could not have done it!
The canoe club officials were faultless. Our
boats were GPS tracked for safety. Marshals at
many points and the organisers kept popping
up at changeovers to offer encouragement.
The biggest thanks go to Neil for his dedication and
support. The team were pleased that his ambition
of a ladies’ relay team had finally been achieved.
The ring race is held annually and it would
be great to see more ladies’ teams having a
go. It is certainly to be recommended.
by Margaret Huyton
Provisional date for
2018, 30th June. Please
check the marathon race
calendar.
www.madcc.btck.co.uk
The team was 10 strong. Some had paddled the
ring before, but others were fairly new recruits
to canoeing. We ranged from an 18-year old
who had just finished A-levels, to a 66 year old
grandmother, and a mother and daughter pairing.
Sadly, 2 of our team members had recently been
widowed. How brave they were to have a go.
Unfortunately, one of the ladies had to pull out
just days before the race due to a serious injury.
We were undeterred and Neil formulated a
new plan - nothing was going to stop us.
The race can be completed in a variety of ways
from K1 or K2 all the way paddlers, to a variety of
relays including the original format of 5x junior
+ senior pairs. Teams come from all over the
UK, including The Isle of Man and competitors
from mainland Europe occasionally come.
It starts in Poynton on the Macclesfield canal,
heads north and continues in an anti clockwise
direction into and through Manchester, then
westwards to Preston Brook, south east towards
Kidsgrove before turning north back to Poynton.
We hear from Margaret Huyton, one
of the team members, who shares
her account of this years Cheshire
Ring Race - a female perspective.