Gold Challenge rowers shine in Newark
A number of British rowing records are believed to have been broken on Saturday (15 October), as
more than 60 indoor rowers took to the streets of Newark, Nottinghamshire, for
the Gold Challenge Marathon Row.
The rowers – who formed 14 teams of differing ages, backgrounds,
and abilities – each covered the marathon distance of 42 kilometres (juniors covered 21km) in the
Nottinghamshire sunshine, on a row of Concept 2 rowing machines set up in the
middle of Newark Market Square.
‘This was a real community event,’ said Naomi Coe, one of the challenge’s organisers. ‘We had over 60 people taking part from local schools, sports clubs, and a couple of corporate teams – most of whom had never been on an indoor rowing machine before.
‘It’s exactly what we’re aiming to do, to reach out and get people involved who would never normally be interested in sport, let alone rowing.’
Official confirmation is still being awaited, but the challenge is believed to have broken several UK records.
The Gold Challenge Marathon Row was hosted by Andrew Morris and Mick Dawson, who
are set to row across the Atlantic Ocean – from West to East – starting on May 14 next year.
Morris and Dawson will row against the prevailing winds and
currents non-stop for 24 hours a day in order to arrive in London in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and they created
the Gold Challenge Marathon Row to raise both awareness of their own challenge
and funds for their chosen charity – Right to Play.
Right to Play aims to improve the lives of children in the world’s most disadvantaged areas by using ‘the power of sport and play for development, health and peace.’
For more information about Right to Play, visit www.righttoplay.com.
