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The Canadian Sculling Marathon is held in late August. It is a fun, participative event stressing endurance. Usually, it is 42, 21, and 10 km on the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers, but in 2018 it was a 65.5 km row from Ottawa to Montebello on the mighty Ottawa River and in 2020 it went virtual by necessity due to the global pandemic and was one of only a few Rowing events in all of Canada that year - Supported by Rowing Canada & Row Ontario.

Champions of the CSM, including Alistair who is holding the Hensler Trophy - awarded to crews who enter and complete the full Marathon distance.

CSM: FULL & Half marathon challenges

Since 2005, the rowing section of the Ottawa New Edinburgh Club (ONEC) has organized an annual distance challenge using touring, coastal, and open water shells on the Ottawa River: the Canadian Sculling Marathon (CSM). Inspired by the world-renowned Canadian Ski Marathon, it stresses participation, fitness, endurance and fun!

A distance event under the banner of the Ontario Adventure Rowing Association, the CSM usually offers a choice of a full marathon (42 km) or a half marathon (21 km) distances with a circuit starting and finishing at or near the ONEC boathouse and taking in some of the capital’s most famous landmarks.

The full and half marathons are considered tours and are sanctioned as such. Stable boats are used for safety and to ensure that the event always occurs. The 42 km generally starts at 7 am and the 21 km starts at 8 am, usually on a Sunday in late August.