Saturday’s (13 September) first version of Europe’s longest one-day kayak marathon race, Tour de Gudenaa, starting in Silkeborg and finishing in Randers, a total of 73 kilometers showed to become a total Danish power show both in the men’s and in the women’s races.

Winner in the women’s run was Birgit Pontoppidan from Gladsaxe and in the men’s race Nikolaj Blak from Skanderborg finished first. Both paddlers had a clear margin to the runner-ups. In the women’s race Pia Ruhm ended second and in the men’s race the Czech Tomas Jezek finished in the second place after a fierce final sprint with former German Olympic gold medalist in K2, Andreas Kihl.

It was a great performance without comparison by all paddlers, and especially the winners, to finish the tough race.

If I have to answer now, I’d say that I’ll never do it again. It was extremely hard. But if you ask me tomorrow or next week, I’d probably say that I might come back next year to defend my title. The first 25 kilometers didn’t hurt, whereas the last two thirds really hurt. It’s the longest distance I’ve ever rowed and it was really relieving to see the finish line and to cross it, said Birgit Pontoppidan.

For Nocolai Blak it was a relief just to finish the race: Actually, it was not my plan to join the Tour de Gudenaa race, because in two weeks I’ll be at the world championship, but in the last minute I chose to register for the race, and it is just great to become the first winner of the race, says Nicolai Blak.

In both the men’s and the women’s race the first three paddlers to cross the finish line won prize money where there was 10,000 DKR for the winner, 5,000 for second place and 3,000 for no. 3

Tour De Gudenå Maraton 2014 indgår i ICFs Classic Canoe Marathon World Series

The Tour de Gudenaa Marathon is arranged by a The Danish Canoe Federation in cooperation with Silkeborg Kajakklub, Kano- og Kajakklubben Gudenå in Randers, the municipalities of Silkeborg and Randers and Sport Event Denmark.

Tour De Gudenaa Marathon 2014 is a part of the ICF Classic Canoe Marathon World Series.