The Cedric Avery Mini Marathons
Yes, our famous Mini-Marathons return to Harefield on Sunday October 25th 2026 and then every last Sunday or the month through to March 28th 2027.
The Sharks 2026 Cedric Avery Mini-Marathons Start on Sunday October 25th and are the last Saturday of each month. Full details are here, with Risk Assessment here.
Location:
Rickmansworth Sailing Club, WD3 9YB
Distances:
2.4km – 1.5 miles
The Starter
Out-and-back to Black Jack’s Lock. A scenic stretch of canalised river with wildlife, bridges, and countryside backdrops.
Perfect For: New paddlers or those racing in Lightnings, SUPs, Mini-K2s, GPs, or Slalom
boats.
- Strava Map
- Fastest Times (2025):
- 25:12.77 – Senior Slalom Women
- 29:10.00 – J12 K1 Lightning
- Format Mass Start
5.6km 3.5 miles
The Challenger
Portage Black Jack’s Lock, then paddle into winding, tree-lined waters before bursting into a semi-urban riverside stretch, turning back at Widewater Lock.
Ideal For: Paddlers stepping up into RacingKayaks/Canoes, Touring Craft, WWRs, or SUPs
- Strava Map
- Fastest Times (2025):
- 38:56.94 – J14 K1M
- 38:04.99 – C2 Men
- Format: Hunter VS Hunted
10.4km – 6.5 Miles
The Legendary
Push to London Lane Horseshoe Bridge near Ickenham. A long, straight grind under the HS2 bridge tests stamina and focus. Chase down rivals, hang onto a wash, and fight fatigue – the toughest test of grit and glory.
- Strava Map
- Fastest Times (2025):
- 52:44.00 – J18 K1M
- Format: Hunter VS Hunted
All Craft Welcome!
You don’t need to be an expert or own a top-tier boat – this series is for everyone. Bring your own craft or borrow one on the day – just turn up and paddle!
- Junior Craft: Lightnings / Minis / Mini-K2s / Other…
- Racing Kayaks: K1s / K2s
- Racing Canoes: C1s / C2s
- Paracanoe: Kayak / Va’a (Outrigger Canoe)
- Specialist Composites: Slalom boats / Wild Water Racers / Surfskis
- Recreational Boats: General Purpose Kayaks / Open Canoes / Sit-on-Tops / Plastic Boats
- SUPs (Stand Up Paddle Boards)
If you’d like to borrow a boat, please let us know in advance.
Who Can Enter?
Everyone. From complete beginners to confident competitors, the Cedric Avery Winter Series is designed to be open, inclusive, and supportive – whether you’re chasing medals, building club points, or simply enjoying a fun race on the water.
Race Categories:
This series is open to all paddling crafts – from high-performance racing kayaks to recreational boats. Categories ensure that every paddler has a place to compete, challenge themselves, and grow.
- Kayak Singles (K1): Men / Women / None-binary
- Canoe Singles (C1): Men / Women / None-binary
- Canoe Doubles (C2): Men / Women / Mixed / None-binary
- Kayak Doubles (K2): Men / Women / Mixed / None-binary
- Paracanoe
- Specialist Composites: Slalom boats / Wild Water Racers / Surfskis
- Recreational Boats: GPs, Sit-on-Tops, Minis, Lightnings, Plastic Kayaks
- SUPs (Stand Up Paddle Boards): Men / Women / None-binary
Age Categories
- Junior 8 | J10 | J12 | J16 | J18 | Under 23s
- Seniors | Masters 35 | M40 | M45 | M50 | M55 | M60
- Vets 70 | V80 | V90 | V100+
Categories are based on your age from 1st January each year.
The Cedric Avery Winter Series Club Shield
for the pride of every paddler. For the glory of every club.
The Cedric Avery Winter Series Mini-Marathon Shield is awarded to the club with the most accumulated points across the whole series.
- Every paddler’s points add to their club total.
- More paddlers = more chances to score.
- Mix crews? No problem — we can organise K2s, C2s, and shared boats if needed.
- Big or small, every club has a chance to climb the leaderboard. It’s about testing yourselves, supporting each other, and bringing more paddlers into the sport. Rival clubs will be pushing hard — so gather your team, come race, and see how far you can go together.
✨ Certificates for all finishers, with your recorded times throughout the season — track your journey, show your progress, and celebrate the effort.
This is more than racing. It’s about club tenacity, development, and shared competition — coming together through the winter to challenge, grow, and celebrate paddlesport.
Prizes & Awards
🏅 Medals will be awarded at the series finale to the fastest paddlers and top points scorers in each age category and craft.
🏆 Trophies for the overall fastest Men’s, Women’s, and Non-Binary paddlers across eachdistance and craft.
🛡 Clubs will also compete for the coveted Cedric Avery Winter Series Mini-Marathon Shield— earned through determination, teamwork, and points accumulated across the series.
📜 Certificates will be awarded to all finishers at the final, showing their recorded race times throughout the season — a lasting record of progress and achievement.
🌟 Special Shoutouts for paddlers who stand out!
Facilities & Refreshments
- •Parking: Troy Lake, Rickmansworth Sailing Club, WD3 9YB. Fom here, paddle down the
- Troy Cut to the Grand Union Canal, turn left, and follow the water up to the start line at Coppermill Lock.
- •Boat Drop-Of: Coy Carp Pub, Copper Mill Lane, Harefield, UB9 6HZ. (Parking at the pub is for customers only and ANPR monitored.)
- Looking for food or a drink after your race? The Oaks Pub has been incredibly supportive of our series, kindly hosting our prize giving — so let’s show them some support! They offer a great selection of food and drinks, with plenty of options for everyone.• Want to grab a drink and watch the action? The Coy Carp is close to the start/finish area, making it a great spot to grab a coffee or drink and watch the racing unfold along the canal.
🛡 Personal Safety & Event Safety
Racing hard doesn’t mean racing careless — in this series, safety is part of the challenge. Every paddler has a role to play: protecting yourself, respecting the river, and looking out for each other. That’s how we race.
Buoyancy & Boats
- Under 18s: Buoyancy aids are compulsory.
- Adults: Strongly advised to wear buoyancy aids — self-assessment applies.
- Boat Buoyancy: Every boat must have airbags or equivalent fitted to ensure recovery. Random checks will be carried out to maintain standards.
Courses & Support
- Starter (1.5 miles): Designed for juniors and new paddlers. Supported with on-water safety and bankside escort all the way to Black Jack’s Lock and back.
- Challenger (3.5 miles) & Legendary (6.5 miles): No dedicated safety boats. Here, the code is simple: paddlers look after paddlers. If someone capsizes or shows distress, you stop to check. If they’re fine, race on. If not, you help. That is non-negotiable.
The Weir
- •A defining feature of this course and one to be treated with respect.
- Starter race: avoids the weir completely, starting and finishing below.
- Challenger & Legendary races: cross above the weir with safety cover in place. You may choose to run the flow or portage — the decision is yours.
Portages & Footwear
- Portages are part of the race. Surfaces can be rough: gravel, mud, nettles, even glass.
- Solid footwear is essential — shoes with proper soles that can handle the ground.
Winter Conditions
- This is winter racing: dress for the season. Thermals, spray decks, hats, and reliable shoes will keep you safe and comfortable.
- At the finish, warm kit and blankets will be on hand for anyone dealing with cold or fatigue.
The Ethos
Safety isn’t separate from racing — it’s woven into the spirit of the Cedric Avery Winter Series. We race hard, we race fair, and we race together.
Entry & Payment
- Entry Fee: £7 per paddler, per seat, per event
- Payment: Cash or card on the day
- Pre-registration & Questions: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk
Bank Details
- Account Name: The Sharks Sports Group CIC
- Account Number: 67417911
- Sort Code: 08-92-99
The Sharks is a not‑for‑profit community interest club — prompt entries help reduce risk, and donations are warmly appreciated.
Organiser Details
- Club: The Sharks
- Organiser: Grant Underwood
- Email: comms@thesharks.org.uk
- Phone: 07951 770241
- Address: 3 Nettleton Drive, Upper Heyford, Bicester, OX25 5TP
Published 11th September 2026