MARATHON OF THE RIVER TAKES PLACE TOMORROW (Sat)
It now has around 300 crews taking part and is an international event with competitors from America, Australia, and many European countries.
This is a race for ‘fixed seat’ only craft and a large variety of boats take part including the traditional Thames Watermen’s Cutters.
The race is based on the Watermen principle and so each crew must carry a passenger and cox along with a 3’ x 2’ flag. A handicapping system is used to ensure fair play.
The Great River Race is now a charitable trust run by volunteers and with over 2,500 competitors competing for 37 trophies, it has become the biggest and most prestigious event of its kind in Europe.
Adult, Junior and Disabled competitors are invited to take part.
There are Junior categories for under 14, 16 and 18 crews and Veteran categories for V40+ and V60+.
The Junior crews must have a responsible adult, 18 or over in the boat as either the cox or passenger. You must decide if you are entering age related classes before filling in the Entry Form because this affects your invoice. Juniors have a discounted rate.
Mixed crews must have a minimum of 50% women rowing at all times to be eligible for mixed class trophies. Crews with fewer than 50% women rowing will be classified as Men. In all classes the cox and / or passenger may change places with a rowing crew member as long as this doesn’t change the gender or age restrictions of that class.
HOW AND WHERE TO WATCH:
In 2026, from 8am
Millwall Riverside, Westferry Road London Docklands
Competing crews arrive, register and prepare their boats for the launch and of course the Race.
This varies from year to year depending on tidal conditions.
Race starts with the slowest craft first, each vessel has it is own individual handicap and the faster the potential speed of the boat, the later the start time. The fastest boat will start just over an hour after the slowest.
Tower Bridge
Not long after passing Canary Wharf, the unmistakable outline of Tower Bridge comes into sight. The Bridge is a great favourite with spectators who love to line the rails to watch the crews fighting for position as they approach.
London Bridge
Southwark Bridge
Millennium Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
Waterloo Bridge
Westminster Bridge
Tricky currents give crews, especially novices, a tough challenge as some fight to hold on to their handicap advantage, while others try to weave their way through. Great racing for the crowds as the competition hots up.
Lambeth Bridge / Vauxhall Bridge / Chelsea Bridge
The leading boats are now passing the Houses of Parliament and concentrating on the long haul upriver. Back at Millwall there are still more than one hundred boats yet to start.
Battersea Bridge
Approaching the halfway point and the crews have now received maximum assistance from the incoming tide. The riverside promenades above and below the Bridge make excellent vantage points.
Wandsworth Bridge
While the best crews in the slower boats are still leading the field, the more powerful crews in the faster craft are now showing their speed as they move through the field.
Putney Bridge
While the head of the Race is now two thirds of the way home, the end of the fleet has just cleared central London.
Hammersmith Bridge
Tricky currents around the Dove Pier just above the Bridge will test tiring crews and weary coxes.
Chiswick Bridge
With around an hour to go, speculation mounts as to whether those low-handicap boats which have led the fleet for so long will be able to hold on to their advantage or be overwhelmed.
Kew Bridge
Now racing a against a semi-rural backdrop, the faster Waterman Cutters, Pilot Gigs and Celtic Longboats are beginning to show their superior pace and feature in the top twenty.
Richmond Bridge
Richmond’s riverside spectators cheer on the crews as they pass through the Bridge. With 35 trophies up for grabs, crews must draw on their last reserves to vie for a winning spot.
Riverside below Ham House, Richmond
Our Race winner crosses the line to rousing applause and the prospect of receiving The Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen and becoming the UK Traditional Boat Champions in the process.