Oklahoma City Conducts Test Event for Next Year's Marathon World Championships

Kayaker Maggie Hogan (Oklahoma City, Okla.) won the Silver medal at the 2013 Oklahoma City Canoe Marathon Invitational last Wednesday, Oct. 2, on the Oklahoma River. Hogan, a U.S. National Sprint Team Member, will hope to reach the podium in less than a year.

The invitational served as the official test event for the 2014 ICF Marathon World Championships to be held in the Oklahoma City Boathouse District on Sept. 26-28, 2014. Race distances range from 17.2 to 30.1 kilometers and include several portages.

"The team at the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation put together an outstanding test event in preparation for next year's Canoe Marathon World Championships," said Joe Jacobi, USA Canoe/Kayak CEO. "With great feedback and critique from the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon Technical Committee, we are looking forward to a World Championships that presents the best of Oklahoma City and the best of paddlesports in the United States."

Paddlers from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and Sweden competed in the test event. In women's kayak, Hogan finished the 26.5-kilometer course in 2:15.28.890, which was just over 1 minute behind Gold medalist Lizzie Broughton of Great Britain. Fay Lamph of Great Britain took Bronze.

In men's kayak, Tim Pendle of Great Britain won the 30-kilometer race with a  time of 2:22:44.612, which was +3.838 seconds ahead of Silver medalist Neil Fleming of Ireland. Canada's Ian McKenzie took third.

The event kicked off the annual Oklahoma Regatta Festival, which will precede next year's World Championships. The five-day festival includes competitions and exhibitions in rowing, canoe/kayak, and dragon boat racing.

Copenhagen, Denmark hosted the 2013 Marathon World Championships on Sept. 18-22. Hogan and Kaitlyn McElroy (Oklahoma City, Okla.) combined to place 12th in the women's doubles kayak. U.S. Sprint National Team Member Ian Ross (Washington, D.C.) finished 13th in the men's Under-23 canoe race.

Other results:

• Amniel 'Pepe' Naranjo (South Florida Canoe Kayak Club) - 12th in men's C-1
• Ross and Naranjo - 12th in men's C-2
• Alex McLain (Lanier Canoe Kayak CLub) - 23rd in women's K-1
• Borys Markin (Rockaway Olympic, NY) - 27th in men's K-1
• Logan Mynar (Texas Canoe & Kayak Racing Association) - 167th in men's U-23 K-1
• Jessie Lishchuk (Philadelphia, Pa.) - 36th in men's Junior K-1

The OKC Boathouse Foundation promotes the use and development of the Oklahoma River as a worldclass urban aquatic venue and provides access to rowing, kayaking and fitness programs for people of all ages and abilities. OKCBF programs pursue the highest goals of sports and embrace the principles of the Olympic spirit which inspire athletes to work toward personal excellence, embrace the power of teamwork, and practice respect for all people and the environment. To learn more or get involved, call (405) 552-4040 or visit okcbf.org, facebook.com/OklahomaCityRiversport or twitter.com/riversportokc.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, USA Canoe/Kayak is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation. It governs the Olympic disciplines of Flatwater Sprint, Whitewater Slalom, the Paralympic discipline of Paracanoe and sanctions Freestyle, Marathon, Outrigger, Wildwater, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak Polo, Dragon Boat and Canoe Sailing in the United States. For more information about USA Canoe/Kayak, please visit us on the web atwww.usack.org, on Twitter at @usacanoekayak and Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/USACanoeKayak.