THE 61^st MEDWAY MARATHON

Hosted by Medway Yacht Club

On the morning of Sunday 3^rd August, the weather conditions were perfect with a South Westerly breeze to welcome our visitors to Medway Yacht Club’s 61^st Medway Marathon. The day started early for those visitors, some of whom had travelled from afar.

Nice to see you again I said to one of our visitors – “I wouldn’t miss it for the world” he said.

There were twenty-four boats in total sailing thirteen different kinds of boats. Depending on your RYA PY handicap this put you in one of the five starts. The Wayfarers had their own start due to the number of their class taking part. The race hut was kept busy having boats over the line in two of the starts.

The twenty-six-mile course took the fleet as far as Queenborough Spit buoy via Otterham Creek and on their way home Stangate Creek before finishing at the MYC line. The first half of the race was a little light but with the ebbing tide and the odd gust progress was made. The second half of the race saw an increase in wind and the tide started flooding at approximately 13.30 ensuring all boats were home by 16.00.   

Whatever the weather we all know and appreciate conditions can change very quickly. Five guard boats were on station covering the course throughout the race as well as five Ribs and an escort boat. One dinghy did cut the corner of one of the spit buoys leading to a capsize, to the surprise of the crew the water was only up to his knees! No damage to the boat or crew and a Rib was there to assist if required.   

The Musto Skiff’s are normally very competitive in the Medway Marathon but it was not their day this year. We look forward to seeing them next year.  

Those doing the Half Marathon had a great sail and competed their course in good time.  

The onshore race team ensured we had the results quickly and prize giving took place in good time allowing our visitors to start their journey home.

The overall winner of the 2025 Medway Marathon was John Clementson (Chipstead Sailing Club) in his Wayfarer crewed by Sam Pygall. Second overall was Tony Alexander in his Wayfarer crewed by Jon Moon and in third place was Stuart Bailey sailing his Laser 2000 crewed by Dave Hughes. Brian and Liz McKenzie missed a podium position by 15 seconds on corrected time. Congratulations to Jo Wicken (Wilsonian Sailing Club)  for the first female helm sailing her streaker dinghy. Congratulations also to Sophie Wantling (Wilsonian Sailing Club) for winning the Medway Half Marathon.

A full list of the results can be found on the MYC website.

The 2026 Medway Marathon hosted by Medway Yacht Club will be on Sunday 6^th September.  

Report written by Vice Commodore Philip Clarabut

INVITATION TO DINGHY AND KEELBOAT SAILORS

The Medway Marathon has provided a yearly endurance challenge for over half a century.  The race is open to all classes of monohull dinghies and day keelboats with a RYA PY number.

The course runs between Upnor in the west and Queenborough spit to the east and is in a tidal area, setting the competitor strategic problems and high levels of boat handling.  The 26 miles takes competitors through the sweeping main estuary reaches of the Medway River and its creeks with abundant birdlife. The course tests every part of the angles of sail, which doesn’t give a huge advantage to any particular boat.  It is a great tactical challenge as the tide plays a big part in getting the best out of the course. Once you have tried it you will keep on coming back year after year.

Online entries are now closed. You can still enter on tomorrow in the library between 8-9.30am paying by cash (please bring exact fee) or card. 

2025 Entries