Andrew Orr, one of the organizers of the inaugural Dragon Run race to be held on 24 November, 2007 in Hong Kong, confirmed today that the total prize purse for the event is US$10,000 of which $5,000 will go to the first paddler across the finish line.

Race Course

The race course has been modified slightly so that it now starts at Clearwater Bay Beach, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon.  The course includes about 15km of downwind paddling - if the NE winds usual for the time of year prevail.

Dragon Run 2007 Course Map

The race is the first of three World Rankings races taking place on consecutive weekends.  The 2^nd Dubai Shamaal race takes place on 30^th November and the Perth World cup on December 8^th and 9^th.

Race Director 

The Dubai Shamaal organisers have contracted South African Billy Harker (whose Discovery Men's Health series is in its tenth year) to act as race director.  Billy brings a wealth of experience to the team having been part of the organising committees of all three South African World Cup races including the record breaking and highly successful 2007 ARB Surf Ski World Cup in Durban.

International Participation

A number of top internationals have confirmed their entries into the race including Oscar and Herman Chalupsky (SA), Dean Gardiner (Aus), Bevan Manson (SA), Dawid Mocke (SA) and Ken Wallace (Aus). 

Nathan Baggaley in happier times - 2004 Olympics

Nathan Baggaley (Aus), three time kayaking world champion and Olympic silver medalist has also entered - the first time he will be allowed to compete since completing a two-year ban for steroid use.  (In his defense Baggaley claimed that he inadvertently consumed some tainted orange juice mixed by a relative who was taking the drugs as part of treatment for an injury.  Doctors say however that the drugs concerned, stanozolol and methandienone, are never used to treat injuries.)  Earlier this year, Baggaley pleaded not guilty to charges of selling and manufacturing the drug ecstasy and a charge of theft of a surf ski from the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club.  The court cases have yet to be heard.

Website

The Dragon Run website is up at www.thedragonrun.com.hk

For more information, contact Andrew Orr at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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