At the Hemel Hempstead Marathon on Sunday Chelmsford paddlers returned with some good results.

The race at Hemel starts in a narrow boat turning area on the Grand Union but the canal width narrows considerably 50 metres after the start which, combined with a bend and overhanging trees, can cause chaos, particularly in the larger classes.

Dean Williams was the highest ranked of the Chelmsford paddlers racing at the event and appeared to have a good start until approaching the bottle neck where he capsized.

However, he emptied out quickly and chased the rest to the first portage gaining considerably on the water but losing out a little over the portages throughout the course.

At the line he finished third in 68 minutes two seconds over the 12 miles, only four seconds behind an opponent from Barking & Dagenham.

James Byam-Shaw suffered the same fate but on the return trip, capsizing for no apparent reason before the final portage losing a lot of time on the recovery, finishing eighth in Division Six K1.

The start of Division 5/6 K2 turned into havoc at the bottle neck when a ladies crew capsized and turned broadside causing all the other boats to sort themselves out in a free for all.

Roger Edwards/Mike Head from Chelmsford fought through the trees and emerged as one of the first crews to break free giving them a good chance to sprint for the first portage half a mile after the start.

They finished in third place in 66 minutes 26 seconds, 24 seconds ahead of their nearest opposition from Bishops Stortford.

Graham Howe got away to a good start in Division 7 K1 keeping out of trouble to win in 35 minutes 38 seconds over the short course nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival and gaining a deserved promotion.

In the same Division, Mathew Dabbs proved he is improving all the time in an excellent race finishing third in 38 minutes one second.

Newly promoted into Division Seven, Joanne Edwards finished 35 seconds later in fifth place.

In Division Eight K1, Cheryl Dunn also gained promotion from this event by coming second in 38 minutes 31 seconds over the short course.

Chris Howe was away first at the start but dropped into fifth by the finish after a good race against larger opponents and is certain to be a force to be reckoned with as he gains more experience.

Another youngster relatively new to racing is David Linnell who had an excellent race in Division Nine K1, picking off his opponent one by one to eventually finish fourth in 44 minutes 46 seconds.

Dave Jeffery/Dave Clark were surprised by the fitness of the Bishops Stortford opposition who beat them into second place by the finish in a race predominated by C2's.

Chelmsford were beaten by Leighton Buzzard for the club trophy with Bishops Stortford in third place.

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