Having completed the postponed 2022 Massive Murray Paddle (MMP) in 34 hours and 43 minutes, powerhouse Sean Murphy has been crowned fastest paddler.
The Kiwi’s steadfast rhythm and unwavering determination kept the other paddlers at bay for the entirety of the race, in a result that race organiser Shannon O’Brien could only describe as “phenomenal.”
Mitzi Klein from team Viper was named fastest female on the water, with an outstanding result of 48 hours and three minutes.
The Footscray Living Fossils also walked away with a victory after securing first place in the Bill Dunn Relay Handicap Trophy.
Commended for its willingness to help others, the Army Logistics Training Centre took out the Dhungala Award, an accolade that is given every year to the team or individual that best expresses the spirit of the race.
The team members were praised for taking it upon themselves to help others carry their vessels to and from the water, as well as offering all kinds of support to fatigued rowers.
Perhaps even more important than winning the race is how much money was raised and to which cause.
The total amount raised for the February paddle was $94,208.
Jackson Farley and Patrick Kovac took out the award for most money raised as individuals with a combined total of $24,025.
The money they raised is to go towards Say Australia, an organisation that connects kids who stutter to others who stutter.
As for the teams, Ruby’s Team raised a whopping $29,500 for the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group, followed by Ignorance is Blissters with $6445 to the CFA and Wires, while in third place was the Army Logistics Training Centre with $4000 for Legacy.
Since 2016, MMP participants have raised a grand total of $989,650.
“The paddle is really all about the fundraising,” O’Brien said.
“I think it’s what makes this event extremely important and special.”
First time Massive Murray paddlers John Carey and Craig Smith, from Echuca, were blown away by finishing second in the Bill Dunn relay handicap.
“We never thought we’d be up on the podium for a couple of old boys who have only taken up the sport in the last couple of years,” Carey said.
“This whole event has just exceeded our expectations.”
Treating the race as a relay, the pair alternated stints after reaching each checkpoint.
Their vessel was the second to reach the finish line on the second day of the race and the third on the third day, showing they were able to keep up the momentum and pace for the duration of the event.
“Having the Murray practically in our backyard was probably to our advantage,” Smith said.
“I still think it’s pretty amazing though that as a team of two we came second to a team of eight.”
Smith and Carey raised funds for the Echuca Regional Health palliative care team, saying they admire and appreciate all the team does to ensure community members have a dignified death and lead-up to death.
As to whether they’ll be tackling the race again in November, Carey joked they were not talking about it yet because they first had to give their bodies time to recover.
One thing they were able to divulge was that the first thing they’d be doing after the race was getting a massage.