The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon is a marathon canoe race in England. The race is held every Easter over a course of 125 miles (201 kilometres) from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster in central London. It has been run since 1948. Starting at Devizes wharf, the route follows the Kennet and Avon canal for 54 miles to Reading, where it joins the Thames. Another 54 miles later it reaches Teddington Lock, ending 17 miles later at Westminster Bridge.
Personalities to own a DW medal are former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Paddy Ashdown, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Rebecca Stephens, the first woman to climb Everest solo.
The Junior Doubles and Junior/Veteran: Two in a boat, there are four stages with overnight stops:
Stage 1: Devizes to Newbury (34 miles)
Stage 2: Newbury to Marlow (36 miles)
Stage 3: Marlow to Teddington (38 miles)
Stage 4: Teddington to Westminster (17 miles)
Senior Singles: One person kayaks or canoes, over the same four stages.
Senior Doubles: Timed continuously from the moment they start, until either they reach Westminster, or they admit defeat (which accounts for one third of the entries, rising to half in 1998).
