All four seasons greeted competitors in the 60th Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race as they set off on the 125-mile trip to London this morning.

Glorious spring sunshine was interspersed with showers of hail, sleet and snow, driven by a stiff easterly wind.

But the hardy paddlers paid no attention as they made last-minute adjustments to their boats, kit and queued up to register and collect their race numbers.

As it was the 60th anniversary of the race, three of the original participants, former Devizes Rover Scouts Pete Brown, Laurie Jones and Brian Walters, came down to see the 2008 competitors off.

Mr Brown said: "There are so many people here. This has become a wonderful event. We had no idea when we did the distance 60 years ago that it was going to develop into anything like this. It is so impressive."

Indeed, the 60th race has attracted more participants than any previous one and Devizes Wharf was as busy as it used to be when all competitors set off on Good Friday morning.

Some years ago, the senior doubles crews, who paddle the entire 125 miles non stop, opted to start on Saturday morning to catch the tide going out on the River Thames.

Because of an anticipated extremely high river level and poor weather conditions on the Thames, the race organisers have been advised that no canoes will be allowed on the river during the hours of darkness.

As a result, senior crews will not be leaving the Wharf before 4pm tomorrow (Saturday) and could leave as late as 4am on Sunday morning.

The winning crew is likely to complete the course in around 17 hours.

Today's participants were all those taking the entire weekend to do the distance, stopping overnight at designated camp sites along the way.

These include entrants in the senior singles, junior doubles, veteran/junior and Endeavour classes.

Among the veteran/junior entries setting off today were Nick Gompels and Oliver Clark from Market Lavington, near Devizes.

Pharmacist Mr Gompels last took part in the DW four years ago with Oliver's father, John Clark. Mr Gompels said: "Oliver has been keen to do the DW since then and now he is old enough, I agreed to go crew with him. It's going to be chilly, but I think we'll have a good time."

It is, in fact, the earliest in the year that any DW race has taken place. It has always been held over Easter weekend and is governed by those dates.

Pete Thomas, the teacher in charge of training at Dauntsey's School in West Lavington, said: "Because Easter is so early, we missed out on about three weeks' training, but with 11 crews taking part from the school this year it is our biggest entry ever and they are all well prepared for it."

Mr Thomas is also taking part with Allister Sheffield in the Endeavour class, which is for senior doubles competing over four days.

Other competitors include Martin Sausins and Barry Archer of Chippenham Sea Cadets, who threw down the gauntlet to Devizes Scouts to post a faster time than them in the 60th anniversary race.

The challenge has not been taken up this year, but next year is another matter

More updates on the race over the weekend