Head race

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Two crews racing in Lagan Head of the River. The closer boat is being overtaken by the boat on the far side.

A head race is a time trial rowing race typically held in the fall or early spring. In this form of racing competitors race against the clock and the crew with the fastest time is deemed to be the winner. Racing usually takes place in different categories (for different boat classes and abilities). The length of these races is usually between 3 km and 6 km. Boats are started at 10 to 15 second intervals. To minimize collisions, Boats are usually seeded so that the fastest start first.

The two most well-known head races are the 4¼ mile (6,840 m) Head of the River Race that takes place each March on the river Thames in London, United Kingdom and the Head of the Charles race held each October on the 3 mile (4,828 m) Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Other head races include the head of the Trent in Peterborough, Ontario along the Trent-Severn Waterway, the head of the Rideau in Ottawa, Ontario, London in March, the 3¼ mile (5,000m) Head of the Lake through the Montlake Cut in Seattle, Washington, and the Chattanooga Head Race Head of the Hooch in November on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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