Sun Shines on River Mersey Canoe Race
| Published: 15th October 2008 21:55 |
The sun was shining as competitors from across Greater Manchester battled it out in the River Mersey Descent Canoe Race on Sunday. This year the event took place as part of Mersey Basin Week and was sponsored by The Mersey Basin Campaign.
Vicky Price, 16 (left) and Tim Selby, 17 (second right) won the Stockport
Junior race, whilst Ned Price (centre) won the Stockport Senior title. They
are pictured with Bev Mitchell from Mersey Basin Campaign and race
organiser Chris Cleaver (right).
TV weatherman Fred Talbot officially started the race at Mersey Vale Nature Park in Stockport and the skilled canoeists made their way down river through Cheadle, Northenden, Chorlton and Sale before crossing the finishing line at Trafford Metrovick Rugby Club.
Ned Price was the proud winner of the Stockport Senior Title and Richard Moss and Sean Jesson won the Open Canadian Canoe race.
Spectators young and old watched the impressive race in awe, enjoyed the attractive surroundings and some even had a go themselves.
Councillor Shan Alexander, Executive Member for Leisure, said: "This was a fantastic event to celebrate the River Mersey, the official canoe trail and Mersey Vale Nature Park as an excellent sporting and leisure venue. I would like to congratulate the winners and everyone who took part in the race."
Fred Talbot starts a race at Mersey Vale Nature Park
Mark Turner, Deputy Chief Executive at the Mersey Basin Campaign, added: "Canoeists have seen at first hand the transformation of the River Mersey in recent years - it's cleaner now than at any time since the industrial revolution. Great events like the Mersey Descent canoe race show how the river has gone from a source of embarrassment to a source of pride. And we're proud to support the race."
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