Mick goes mad, again

By Tania Martin
SELBY kayaker Michael Dinkreve will take on the Murray Marathon this Christmas for the 22nd time.
It is now a Dinkreve tradition with the family in tow.
The 46-year-old is fondly known by many who take part in the marathon as “Mad Mick”.
He first started in the marathon when he was just 16 in 1979 and vows to continue until at least 2029.
His goal is to have paddled through 50 marathons – more than 20,100 kilometres.
The event is one of the longest canoe and kayaking races in the world. It first started in 1969 when Mark Thornthwaite and nine mates decided to paddle 250 miles (402km) to raise cash for the Red Cross.
Since then the trek along the Murray River from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill has become a tradition for many to ring in the New Year.
Money raised during this year’s event will go towards the YMCA.
In Mick Dinkreve’s 21st attempt he will remain one of the few paddlers opting for the kayak. Most, he says, now use canoes.
He says the marathon is about more than just raising cash for a good cause: it is about the whole experience, meeting new people and having a good time.
But Mick wishes he had done more training.
“I have being doing laps of Auravale Lake every now and then … I had it in my diary to do it 22 times before the race and I have only missed five of those so far,” he said. “So it’s not too bad … I have 16 paddles under my belt and I did the Echuca Mini in October, which is a 50km event.”
Mick is hoping for better weather than last year.
Despite being quite mild in 2008, wind hampered many paddlers’ final results. “Hopefully it will be a bit better this year, I don’t mind if it’s a bit hotter but I don’t like the wind,” Mick said.
He has raised more than $1000 and hopes to make it into the top 20 again this year. Hills team, Dumb and Dumber, will return to the Murray for the third year in a row to defend its title.
In 2008, the team took back-to-back titles in the canoe section. It is now going for a hat-trick.
Team spokesman Gary Wardrope said his crew had been training hard for the event. His daughter and her boyfriend had even joined the team, adding a bit of youthful strength.
“We have been down at Auravale Lake every week training to defend our title,” Mr Wardrope said.
Dumb and Dumber has raised more than $3000 so far for the marathon.
Mr Wardrope said the race was not only a fun way to spend your Christmas holidays but it was a great cause.
“The YMCA has been around a long time but you don’t hear a lot about what they do – they are unsung heroes in a way,” he said.
Paddlers will take to the Murray on Sunday 27 December for the first leg of the marathon.