FORMER Dusi champion John Edmonds took an early, slim lead in the Powerade Dusi Canoe Marathon after an exciting first stage on Thursday. Edmonds gained the lead with five minutes to the finish to clock 3:18:32. For most of the morning favourite Wayne Volek, Kelby Murray and Cape paddler Martin Dreyer vied for the lead. At the finish less than two minutes separated the top six racers — Edmonds, Murray, Dreyer, Kevin White, Adrian Enthoven and junior paddler Len Jenkins.