A STRONG field will contest this weekend’s annual Frank Harrison Memorial race.
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Mitta Mitta Canoe Club officials have been delighted with the response with numbers particularly strong in canoeing.
Many competitors will be treating the event as an unofficial national championship.
“We are looking at upwards of 40,” club secretary Dave Cromarty said on Wednesday.
“The canoeists are particularly keen as the national championships are in Western Australia and a lot of eastern coast paddlers can’t get that far.
“They want to make this their big thing for the year.
“It’s been going for a long time now and has a good following.”
Young Border paddler Joe Burton is making a name for himself in junior ranks at national level and will be competing in the open division this weekend.
“He’s been over in Adelaide recently competing and has been doing really well,” Cromarty said.
The initial race, held in 1985, attracted up-and-coming junior John Jacoby who went on to become a world marathon kayak champion.
Last year’s single kayak events were won by Marlena Ahrens and Logan Dutton.
The race includes long and shorter distance events from the Hume Weir wall and waterworks respectively with all races finishing at the Mitta Mitta Canoe Club’s headquarters at Noreuil Park.
There are categories for kayaks and canoes including singles and doubles.
Officials are also encouraging newcomers to the sport to take part.