The Marascull, hosted by Portadown Boat Club, on Saturday saw 31 crews competing in the gruelling course from the Bann Foot to Portadown in the most testing of conditions.
This race is not for the faint hearted and certainly not when facing a head wind.
Now in its 32nd year, Mother Nature threw down the gauntlet for the 96 brave souls taking to the water. The gruelling 15km time trial commenced at the Bann Foot ending at Portadown Boat Club slip.
Crews from Lagan Scullers, Portora Boat Club, Newry Rowing Club, Portadown Boat Club (PBC), Coleraine Grammar School and Methodist College Belfast competed, ranging across junior, open and masters’ categories.
Three waves of various crews launched from 11.30am until approximately 12.45pm.
Crews meandered the long course and made it safely back to base at PBC, ably supported by a gallant band of launch boats and drivers ensuring safely for crews on the water as the winds increased.
Portadown pararower, Eilish Byrne braved a second Marascull in succession, this time as coxswain of the PBC ladies’ quad, steering them home amongst the final third wave boats.
It was an exceptional Marascull. The inclement conditions drove every crew to push to the limits and prove ‘nothing can stop me now’ as they pulled on through every mile and over the line, achieving notable finish times despite conditions.
Irwin’s bakery ensured helpers and competitors at the Bann Foot were well supplied with toast, coffee and tea prior to launching.
The PBC hosts put on the usual banquet with hot foot and drinks for rowers, family and friends – never was a hot chocolate more welcome at the water’s edge.
Methodist College took the greatest medal haul at this year’s event with crews from Coleraine, Portora and Portadown also taking medals, all presented by Portadown Club President Kevin McDonagh.
As PBC Marascull starts the autumn and winter rowing season, it also provide a chance to look back at the amazing successes of local Olympians in Paris in July and August, proving once more what exceptional rowing talent the rowing talent across Ireland.
While Ireland and GB crews were winning bronze, silver and gold at Vaires-sur-Marne nautical stadium near Paris, two local role models from Portadown Boat Club, who took silver at the British Championships in Nottingham, 2023, went one better in the European Masters Championship 2024.
Trained by coach Pete Dick - Louise McDonald and Claire McCann, both junior crew coaches at PBC, competed in the Masters double sculls in Munich pushing on and passing France and Italy to take the gold in late July.
It was a momentous occasion for a small home club bringing pride not only to PBC and Armagh, but Ulster and Ireland rowing.
Incoming club captain, Louise McDonald is determined to continue in that vein and together with fellow coaches, support and encourage every crew, young and old to believe in ‘what is possible’ and showcase more of Armagh’s winning ways.
