Great River Race
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The Great River Race is an annual competition held on the River Thames for any traditional-style coxed boat propelled by oars or paddles.
The competition was started in 1988 and covers a 22 mile course on the tidal Thames from Ham, London to Greenwich. It is usually held on a Saturday in September.
The rules stipulate that boats must be moved by oars or paddles and have a cox and a passenger (although both cox and passenger may alternate with rowers during the race). Up to 300 boats take part including Gigs, Skiffs, Celtic Longboats, Cutters, Currachs, Dragon Boats and an assortment of novelty craft. Boats are handicapped by class to provide an overall competition as well as competitions by class. As handicapping is on a slowest-away first basis, this makes for a lively race.
The race attracts serious racers as well as leisure rowers, making it a water-based equivalent of the London Marathon, and an interesting and colourful spectacle for the many who come to watch from the bridges and river banks.
