Paddler of the month - Chris Runting

There aren’t too many paddlers that have successfully made the jump from elite slalom paddler to elite marathoner but Fairfield’s Chris Runting is one. A former top flight K1 slalom paddler, Chris has transferred the long and silky smooth paddle stroke that made him a formidable slalom racer and big water paddler to the very different world of K1 marathon racing. The weird thing is that while he raced in his first slalom more than 35 years ago, he doesn’t look like he’s aged a day! Could the Yarra be fed by the fountain of youth?

Can you tell us when you started paddling?

My dad built a Canadian Canoe out of plywood when I was about 8.  We had family holidays on the Glenelg River for a few years and paddled around where we were camped.  I can also remember camping at Nagambie and paddling on the lake and out into the Goulburn with my Dad.  Funnily enough I did the same thing a couple of weeks ago in a K2. I was in the scouts and did a bit of mild whitewater paddling in Canadian Canoes.  When I was a teenager I really got excited about canoeing after I went to a Canoes Plus film night which showed a film about the first British descent of the Colorado and some films on slalom paddling.  My interest in canoeing was turned into reality by the courses run by the Victorian Board of Canoe Education and the amazing people that ran it. Sadly the Board no longer exists.

What was your first boat?

 A  Lettmann Olymp 75.  I hired the mould from Canoes Plus and made it with a couple of friends.  It wasn’t perfect but it worked.

When did you start racing - and do you remember your first race?

My first slalom was at Fitzsimmons Lane on the Yarra in 1976.  My first Marathon was in 2005 with another Strathcona parent and we paddled a TK2 in the Footscray Murray Marathon warm up race. I am not sure why we did it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  It was a really positive experience and made me aware of how tactical marathon racing is and the challenge and interest that provides.

How does a slalom paddler find his way into marathon racing? 

You mean go over to the “dark side”. I have to blame my daughters (or give them the credit) for this.  They paddled with Strathcona and through that became involved with Fairfield.  Since I was bringing them to Fairfield on a Saturday afternoon I thought I might as well do some paddling while I was there, a K1 looked like a good challenge.  The more I paddled the more interesting it became as I discovered the subtle joys of flat water paddling.

What type of boat are you paddling now?

My marathon boat is an Advantage Kayaks Hurricane.

What is a typical training week for you now?

My main paddling sessions are the 5:00 Tuesday and 5:30 Thursday sessions which happen every week with paddlers from Fairfield and INCC.  These are great sessions and open to anyone who wants to come along.  I also usually paddle on Sunday morning and do a distance session.  I also try and fit in some running/cycling/gym work as well.  It’s all probably a bit over the top but I enjoy it.  I probably couldn’t stop if I wanted to as I think I have become addicted to exercise.

How do you prepare for a race - anything special you eat? superstitions? No superstitions.

Prepare for a race with couple of days rest before hand and eat plenty of carbs.

Do you have any advice for young or new paddlers coming into the club?

Enjoy it and make what you want of it. If you enjoy the racing and are keen to have a go, be persistent, results don’t always flow easily and it can take time to progress.