Since its inception in 1960, the Liffey Descent has stood as a landmark on both the Irish and international racing calendar. The unique challenge of thirty kilometres of racing through the stunning landscapes of the River Liffey — and over ten iconic weirs along the route — has kept paddlers coming back year after year to be part of this living piece of sporting heritage.
The 2025 edition delivered all the classic challenges of the Liffey Descent, with a few new twists. Following a particularly dry spell, this year’s race was run in lower water levels, adding a significant technical challenge that pushed both skill and equipment to their limits. Rising to meet those demands were Finn Harris and Adrian Boros, the first boat across the line and winners of the Open K2 category. Harris, a leading name in Irish marathon racing, teamed up with Boros, a Hungarian marathon paddler and world-class medal winner, to form a formidable crew who entered the race as favourites. They lived up to expectations — crossing the line in a time of 2:14:42, more than four minutes ahead of their nearest rivals. Their victory was especially notable given the calibre of the second-place boat, featuring former Liffey Descent winner Peter Egan and Sean Butterly, the newly crowned Canoe Marathon Junior World Champion.
With nearly 400 participants making their way down the river, fierce competition could be found in every category. In the always-competitive Men’s K1 race, Tom Brennan took another hard-fought win in a sprint finish to add to his growing list of Liffey Descent titles. The Women’s K1 crown went to Aoibhín Ní Bhroin, while the largest category of the event — K1C, with over a hundred competitors — saw Fergus Cooper claim the Men’s title and Eileen Kelly take first place in the Women’s race.
As ever, the Liffey Descent was about more than just the competition. It was a celebration of the paddling community — a chance for athletes from across Ireland and beyond to come together, take on the challenge, and share their passion for the sport. One of the standout stories of 2025 was Mark Henderson, a wheelchair user and accomplished paddler, who completed the race solo. Having finished the Descent twice before — once in a double kayak and solo for the first time in 2024 — Mark’s achievement this year is a testament to his determination and to the inclusivity of paddle sports. His success shines a light on the opportunities within the sport for everyone, and will no doubt inspire many current and future paddlers with disabilities to take on the challenge themselves.
