This year's annual ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Singapore is the most anticipated canoe marathon world championships in many years; it is also the first time that an Asian country hosts the event, which will also serve as an Asian Championship. New Asian countries will be welcomed to the event for the very first time and the Singapore Canoe Federation, the Host Organising Committee, is anticipating the largest number of participants ever at a Canoe Marathon World Championships.

So far forty countries have confirmed their participation; these countries include China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Thailand, Spain and South Africa. The event begins from 21-23 October 2011 and the venue is one of Singapore's most famous landmarks - the breathtaking Marina Bay.

Athletes will compete in six different race categories, from distances of 17km to 30km and they will be expected to navigate through water currents, starting from the Marina Reservoir towards the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. A highlight of the races is that the portage will require athletes to get out of the water, carry their boat, run across a designated lane on a football pitch, before getting back in the water and paddling off to begin the next lap; races will last two to three hours.

We will strive to give our best and to fight at every stage of the canoe marathon to keep up with the pack, and to do the portage like a amphibious superwomen!

said Singaporean Yeung Xintian to Singaporesports.sg; Xintiana will be taking part in the Women's K2 event.

Who to watch:
Men’s K1: This class is still led by Manual BUSTO FERNANDEZ of Spain who was the K1 winner of the Sella Descent and the Waterland Marathon. Hank McGREGOR of South Africa is in second place. Stuart West from Great Britain is in 3rd place.

Women’s K1: This event is now led by Hilary PITCHFORD from South Africa, Robyn Kime from South Africa is in 2nd place and Sarah Millest from Great Britain is in 3rd place.
Men's C1: The lead in this class is shared between Anthony WILSON from Great Britain and David MOSQUERA LENDOIRO of Spain.

Results of the six Canoe Marathon events this year can be found at the links below.

• Rio Negro – http://www.regatadelrionegro.com.ar/
• Dusi Canoe Marathon – http://www.dusi.org.za
• Waterland Marathon - http://www.kvviking.nl/2009/en/amsterdam-waterland-marathon.html
• Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon
• Sella Descent - http://www.descensodelsella.com
• Avon Descent - http://www.avondescent.com.au
• Dalsland Marathon - http://www.kanotmaraton.se

Event Website: www.canoemarathon2011.org