Dusi day 2: Latest Results
Birkett who won yesterday's stage in record time finished about five minutes ahead of Lance Kime in second place.
Sbonelo Khwela finished the day's racing third.
Birkett will now be looking to secure his advantage heading into the final day.
Stage three sees paddlers leave Inanda Dam for the finish at Durban's Blue Lagoon.
Bikett was quoted on the Dusi Canoe Marathon's twitter account.
"Today I had a different tactic, had to hold of the other guys. The split of One min at the dam headwaters stressed me out a bit so I put the hammer down,'' he said.
Listen below to today's wrap of the race.
Meanwhile in the womens race, Laura O'Donoghue has claimed her victory - retaining first position.
Men
1. Andy Birkett 2:59.33
2. Lance Kime 3:04.37
3. Sbonelo Khwela 3:07.24
4. Thulani Mbanjwa 3:09.21
5. Andrew Houston (U23) 3:16.23
6. Owen Gandar 3:13.08
7. Murray Starr (U23) 3:13.06
8. Jacques Theron 3:15.53
9. Carl Folscher 3:15.44
10. Banesti Nkhoesa (U23) 3:17.32
11. Mhlonishwa Hlongwane (U23) 3:15.58
12. Zonele Nzuza 3:20.42
13. Alan Houston (U18) 3:20.53
14. Nqobile Makhanya (U23) 3:22.15
15. Marray Haw (U23) 3: 24.54
16. Travis Wilson (U23) 3:20.28
17. Mthobisi Cele (U23) 3:23.03
18. Nhlanhla Cele 3:21.51
19. Benjamin Bradford 3:20.43
20. Siseko Ntondini (U23) 3:22.30
Under-23 Men
1. Andrew Houston 3:16.23
2. Murray Starr 3:13.06
3. Banesti Nkhoesa 3:17.32
4. Mhlonishwa Hlongwane 3:15.58
5. Marray Haw 3:24.54
Under-18 Boys
1. Alan Houston 3:20.53
2. Mpilo Zondi 3:27.12
3. Mswawenkosi Mtolo 3:28.00
4. Brandon Orpwood 3:24.14
5. Thabani Msiya 3:37.20
Overall women's results
1. Laura O'Donoghue six hours, 49 minutes and 34 seconds (6:49.34)
2. Cana Peek 7:21.36
3. Jenna Ward 7:25.55
4. Jordan Peek 7:28.36
5. Hilary Bruss 7:32.33
(Photo via Twitter @DusiCanoe)