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Boston Marathon
Lincoln to Boston, 19th September 2010

The University of Kent Rowing Club continued its tradition of racing at the Boston Rowing Marathon on the 19th September. For nine Kent rowers, the huge task of completing the 50.2 kilometre marathon in a respectable time lay ahead of them. Kent has had success at the Boston Marathon in the past five consecutive years, with at least one crew winning every year and three crews setting new course records in that time.

This year the club sent an Intermediate Mens VIII to compete against the 200 strong field of competitors. The crew, made up of Sam Webb, Miles Halahan, David Stevens, Dan Westwood, Carl Soan, Nick Paterson, Sam Cumming and Ash Roberts coxed by Chloe Marshall were soon ahead of the field with only Sudbury Rowing Club left to challenge. Their efforts finally paid off at the 15 kilometre marker when their boat swiftly moved past the Sudbury VIII, giving the crew a revitalising hope of victory.

As the kilometres and time surpassed, the main objective was to keep strong and battle through the fatigue as a crew. The efforts were, however, short lived as Sudbury Rowing Club had managed to get level with the Kent VIII with only 11 kilometres to go.

The final 10 kilometres saw Kent and Sudbury battle it out, side by side for the victory. Both crews, sensing the end was near began their sprint with 8 kilometres to go, completely unheard of and almost impossible to do, both crews increased their stroke rate and began to sprint for home. In the end it was Sudbury who came out on top beating Kent by 1 minute 05 seconds - equivalent to a few metres over a standard 2000 metre rowing race. Chairman Sam Cumming said after the race that "to come so close to winning and lose at the final hurdle was painfully agonising, but just completing the marathon so well was in itself a huge achievement". The Kent VIII completed the marathon in 3 hours 59 minutes; 17 minutes ahead of the next Intermediate VIII.

Not only did Kent Rowing manage to complete the marathon in a respectable time, but throughout the training camp, the club has been raising funds for a local charity in Canterbury. It's something the club does every year, with this year's charity being 'Build a School' - a Canterbury-based organisation which focuses on building schools in areas of desperate need. The club has raised just over £500 to date with a target of reaching £1000. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at http://www.justgiving.co.uk/kentrowingboston.

A massive congratulations goes out to the Kent Rowing Club and their efforts in the Boston Rowing Marathon. May it provide a good base for the rest of the season.

Nick Paterson