In 1964 there was a boat race on the Murray River, which was supposed to be run from Echuca to Mildura, held on the 28th & 29th December. The race was called the Shell Murray Boating Marathon. Due to low water levels it was changed to be Echuca to Torrumbarry, return to Echuca and then travel to Picnic Point, Tocumwal, Yarrawonga before returning back to Echuca.
There was ski section in this race in which teams of skiers would compete over 200 miles. The Echuca team consisting of Roy Reid, Colin Healey and Doug McIntyre won the Ski Marathon.
When analysing the time and logbooks of the competitors, it was revealed that the course was 506 miles and not 522 miles as expected. The original distance was calculated from a chart made by an Adelaide ferry company, which ran paddle steamers on the river years ago. It did not take into account that speedboat drivers would cut corners whenever possible or that the rive had cut out one of its bends. Whatever the distance organises said that the marathon was the longest speedboat race in the world.
Bob Partington drove his boat Commodore over the course. Commodore was a 17 foot 6 inch, clinker powered by a 225 Grey marine and was the only inboard boat in the race, Bob passed away in 2004, but prior to this he has skied in many of the Southern 80 races. (2005 Southern 80 Program pg 11)
