Head of the River Race

This internationally popular race is the first major national rowing event of the season. It follows a 6.8 km course from Mortlake to Putney, basically the Boat Race course in reverse. The inaugural race took place in 1926 when 21 crews took part, it became so popular that an overall limit of 420 entries was imposed and crews now take part from all over the British Isles and beyond. The race is processional, crews starting out one behind the other at ten-second intervals, the winner being the crew that completes the course in the fastest time. The Great Britain national crew set the current record of 16 minutes, 37 seconds in 1987. Each year spectators dip in and out of pubs and line the banks of the Thames to watch.  Good spots to cheer on your chosen crew include Hammersmith Bridge or along the final stretch of the race at Putney Embankment, on the south side of the river. Although rowers are used to blustery weather the 2014 race had to be abandoned due to unsafe conditions and the 2013 race was cancelled altogether due to severe wind and freezing temperatures, so keep your fingers and oars crossed for fair weather this year.