Elmbridge Results – September 2026

4 more debutants and a lot of fun

A small but enthusiastic team were at the September Elmbridge marathon and it was a great day out on the Thames, for paddlers and family.

The Team – Ivijah, Aliana, Yusuf, Maryah, Fatima, and Suleiman

Geoff Sanders B

Four paddlers making their Marathon racing debut in this division, the Geoff Sanders races are for juniors under 14, just starting out in Marathon races and the distance for each race is about 4k.

Aliana Sulemanji

Although she has raced in other disciplines, this was Aliana’s first Marathon and at only ten-years-old, she was racing in the division for those under-14 (on the first of January of the year of the race), and she came 4th! Her time was 24 minutes and 24 seconds.

Suleiman Elawel

Racing in his first ever kayaking competition, eleven-year-old Suleiman took 6th place in a time of 29:04.

Suleiman (yellow boat) and Maryah (blue) racing to the finish

Maryah Elawel

Cousin to the other Elawels racing, it was only her third time in a racing boat, and her time of 29:11, gave her 7th place. She is thirteen-years-old.

Yusuf Elawel

Coming 8th in his first ever kayaking competition with a time of 29:28. He has just turned fourteen years old and will need to race the longer distances next year.

The Geoff Sanders B start

Division 9

Division 9 is the entry level race for paddlers over 14-years of age and are usually about 8k.

Fatima Elawel

Racing for only the second time, fifteen-year-old Fatima’s time of 58:14, gave her 17th place.

Division 8

As you improve you move up the divisions, division 8 is still 8k, but it is a faster race.

Ivijah Campbell-Bryan

One of our more experienced paddlers, the fifteen-year-old, was second in the Division, with a time of 41:04, which would have placed him third is Division 7, which is where he will be racing next time.

Ivijah on the rostrum

Division 7

The highest division of 8k races, get promoted from here and you are doing 12k. Shout out to Malcolm Blowers, who races for Meridian, but is very much attached to The Sharks, thank you for helping transport boats for our paddlers. the V50 paddler completed the race in 43:12, he was 8th.

Malcolm at the turn

Thank You

To Elmbridge Canoe Club for hosting the event, to our coaches and supporters, and to the paddlers, without whom there would be no sport. To the Marathon Racing Committee and Paddle UK, who govern and run our sport.

If you are interested in joining our Marathon Racing Team, then get in touch (email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk or call/text 08951 770241), you don’t need any experience,; we will teach you as well as coach you and you don’t need any social kit as we will provide it all. We hold racing sessions in Harlesden, Southall, and Thamesmead.

Published 30th September 2026