Underberg - Hank McGregor finally got a monkey off his back when he powered to victory in the Global Trader Drak Challenge canoe marathon, the only major river marathon that he had never won, when he came out tops in a thrilling three boat dice on the 38km final stage.

In the women's race Abby Adie cemented her position as a top senior title contender when she totally dominated against a strong field of talented river racers, in a peerless display of river racing while her challengers faltered around her.

The trio of McGregor, his training partner Grant van der Walt and defending champion Ant Stott powered ahead from the final stage start Swartberg Road for what promised to be day of cut throat racing. When they reached Underberg Weir, the pair of McGregor and Van der Walt worked together to break away from Stott opening up a 40 second gap in less than ten minutes.

"The two of us just put the hammer down after the weir to get ahead," said McGregor. "We just saw him (Stott) going back and we worked together till the finish." The duo who have paddled together for the past four years managed to lengthen their lead and take advantage of the strength on the flat water after Glenhaven rapid.  "Ant (Stott) was the odd one out but we're thrilled with our results," added McGregor.

McGregor and Van der Walt came in side by side at the final stretch, but McGregor scrapped through to win by a mere three seconds. "At the end of the day I feel like we both won the race," said McGregor. "It came down to the end sprint, but Hank (McGregor) just managed to get ahead of me," said van der Walt.

Stott tried his best to play catch up and close the four and a half minute gap between himself and the leaders but struggled through the flat water around the Underberg Gorge stretch. "I just didn't have enough gas in the tank, and when Hank (McGregor) made his move I just couldn't match him," said Stott.

In the ladies race Epworth old girl Abby Adie took "It was long and tough but I felt really strong," said Adie. The twenty year old is the one to watch  and has plans to tackle the Umko canoe marathon in the next few weeks with Hillary Pitchford.

Fellow ex-Epworth pupil Robyn Kime came in second a full five and a half minutes behind the leader, and was followed by popular surfski star Michelle Eder in third. Defending champion and Olympic star Michélle Eray