Hank McGregor stamped his authority on the 2025 Berg River Canoe Marathon after building a massive lead of almost six minutes on Day 1 on Wednesday.
The 47-year-old multiple world champion is already strongly favoured to claim his 14th title.
While McGregor was cruising to his big overnight lead in the 62km stage from Paarl to Zonquasdrift, Nix Birkett was fighting a much closer battle with Jenna Nisbet, and in contrast to the men’s race, the women’s event looks like it could turn into a tight contest for the top step of the podium.
Last year’s runner up, Neriyah Dill, is third, six minutes behind, with 2024 champion Stephanie von der Hyde fourth, and three-time winner Bianca Beavitt fifth.
Combined age of 100
In the men’s race, six-time race winner, 53-year-old Robbie Herreveld led home a group of three to ensure the top two places have a combined age of 100 years.
He edged out U23 Sam Butcher with Siseko Ntondini claiming third.
Anders Hart and defending champion Tom Lovemore are fifth and sixth, respectively.
“I didn’t expect that,” said McGregor when told how big his lead was at the end of the day.
“I would have taken just the win in an end sprint if somebody asked me at the start. So, yeah, I’m stoked with a gap that size.”
“Yeah, I’m really, really happy with the win today. It was great conditions and a really forgiving medium to low level.”
“We got away with a bunch of four just after Skooltjie – Tom Lovemore, Sam Butcher, Siseko Ntondini, my team-mate from Euro Steel, and myself. I wanted to see what Tom and Sam had in the tank and put them under pressure a little bit and they came off at about the 35km mark.”
“Then it was just myself and Siseko and we worked really well together. At Hermon Bridge Siseko came off and I had to go on a solo charge to the finish line.”
“Tomorrow is a shortened stage because of the water level and the tree blocks which are super dangerous. It is going to be a fast day and I am going to be on my own, so we will see what happens.”
“It is still early days and still lots to come,” added the 11-time world champion.
‘Chilled’
Birkett said her race was a lot more chilled than the result indicated.
“It was a pretty cool day with Jen and I together the whole day, and then I just managed to take her at the end,” said the 2021 race winner.
“With three men in our group we all took turns pulling and the only drama I had was when I took one wrong turn – I think I lost about 30 seconds and had to work quite hard to catch up.”
“There were no other issues or anything, but I know that a lot can change on this river, so I’m not going to claim anything until the race is over.”
On Thursday the paddlers will paddle from Gouda to Bridgetown after a decision was made to remove the Zonquasdrift to Gouda section due to dangerous conditions.
LEADING RESULTS
Men
1. Hank McGregor 4:14:44
2. Robert Herreveld 4:20:25
3. Sam Butcher 4:20:26
4. Siseko Ntondini 4:20:27
5. Anders Hart 4:22:13
6. Thomas Lovemore 4:25:08
7. Paul Marais 4:25:09
8. Heinrich Schloms 4:27:48
9. Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert 4:27:48
10. Matthew Coetzer 4:29:42
Women
1. Nix Birkett 4:39:54
2. Jenna Nisbet 4:40:02
3. Neriyah Dill 4:46:15
4. Stephanie von der Heyde 4:49:31
5. Bianca Beavitt 5:01:36
6. Rachel van Deventer 5:06:55
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