HAVING won the Umkomaas River Marathon and finished eighth at the iconic Sella Descent in Spain, Hank McGregor is adjusting his goals go for this year\u2019s Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon that finishes in Cradock on Saturday, September 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was almost expected that McGregor would partner up with Euro Steel teammate, Andy Birkett, for the Fish. However, that changed when Birkett made the decision to focus specifically on the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in China, just three weeks after the Fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having committed to the Fish and being a huge fan of the event, McGregor and Wayne Jacobs decided to partner up for the 82km stretch of river, from Grassridge Dam to the finish at the Cradock Sports Complex in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have always loved the Fish because it is such a unique race where everyone travels from around the country to one venue,\u201d the seven-time Fish champion, McGregor, said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel that it is the pinnacle of river paddling in the country because it is a paddling race, unlike Dusi which is a multi-sport event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t feel that there is another race in the country like it and I look forward to racing it every single year. This year is no different but Wayne and I will have a slightly different attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having last won the race in 2016, McGregor has been out of the winners\u2019 circle for a few years, although he does not feel there is any pressure on him and Jacobs to finish in the pound seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am not going into the race with any expectations; we just want to go out there and have a good time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur biggest goal is to win the veterans\u2019 category,\u201d he laughed. \u201cWe want to be the fastest fathers on the Fish this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite claiming eighth place at the Sella, McGregor feels that their result was better than their position suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the pre-race time trial, we were with the European marathon champions so we are a good combination in the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe go well together and I guess we can take some confidence from the fact that we were right up there with the best in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s going to be a busy period for McGregor who is racing in the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships this week and then returns for the Fish in a few weeks and then jets off to China for the Marathon World Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve worked it out that I have five international races coming up and so I want to try and use the Fish to try and keep the momentum before we head to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a great weekend in the Karoo with good water and good hospitality so we are looking forward to getting down there again,\u201d McGregor added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information on the Fish River Canoe Marathon, visit www.fishmarathon.org.za<\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HAVING won the Umkomaas River Marathon and finished eighth at the iconic Sella Descent in Spain, Hank McGregor is adjusting his goals go for this year\u2019s Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon that finishes in Cradock on Saturday, September 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