More than 500 competitors smash unique 53km Blackwood Marathon Relay

One of the Lower South West’s most highly anticipated sporting events brought thousands to the Blackwood region at the weekend.

The Bridgetown Rotary Club’s 2022 Blackwood Marathon Relay, which has been running since 1979, saw more than 2000 competitors and spectators flock south once again for the unique relay event.

More than 470 teams of runners, canoeists, horse riders and cyclists completed the course that comprised five legs from Boyup Brook to Bridgetown.

By the end of the relay participants had covered 53.4km of the Blackwood River Valley.

Winning in the open category this year, and fastest overall, was Safety Brakes Revisted. The champion team was made up of runner Gerard Hill, canoeist David Berglund, swimmer Travis Nederpelt, equestrian Sarah Dacey and cyclist Jeremy Smith.

They finished in just over 2.5 hours, 25 minutes quicker than second place.

Coming in second overall was team Mr Bill which was made up of Russell Forrest, Vince Jurewicz, Rebecca Camm, Megan Richards and Travis Clohessy.

Dominating the iron categories, where competitors race solo, was Colin Ottaway and Sarah Wiese. Both champions completed the 2022 Blackwood Marathon course minus the equestrian leg.

Vincent Newton-Wordsworth was the uncontested winner of the full ironman.

Bridgetown Rotary Club president Colin Booth said he would like to thank all of the people involved in the running of the 2022 Blackwood Marathon, including the competitors, volunteers, supporters and the Warren-Blackwood community.

“Many thanks go out to the competitors for supporting this event, most of which are long time supporters that look forward to this unique event each year,” he said.

“There was also a terrific team of local volunteers to help us run the event smoothly,” he said, “I can’t thank them enough for their efforts, especially this year when they had to stand in the cold wet weather to do their allocated tasks.

Mr Booth said it was great to see the community pull together especially at this busy time of year with many events happening in the town.

“We tried to create a nice lunch time at Jayes Bridge with local groups being food vendors, unfortunately the weather didn’t help but hopefully it was worthwhile for them and we can see them again next year.”

Mr Booth said they were looking forward to the 2023 Blackwood Marathon and would make a few improvements based on the feedback they have already received.

“This year was a bit of a learning curve with the new course and changes of the organising committee,” he said.

“Registrations will open next July so keep that in mind and get your team together,” he said, “Hopefully the weather will be better next year too.”

Money raised from the relay will help fund Bridgetown Rotary Club projects.