Lacking the sporting seriousness of that other well-known race on the river, but probably not the competitive edge, this boat race up the Thames starts in Docklands and, 21 miles later, ends at Ham in Surrey. More than 300 crews from all over the world compete to complete the course in the fastest time, with many of them in fancy dress and all of them seemingly determined to have as much fun as the spectators.
Viewing points along the London stretch of the race are approximately as follows: 11.40am at Millwall Riverside; 12.10am at Tower Bridge); 12.25pm at Westminster Bridge); 12.30pm at Lambeth Bridge); 12.45pm at Battersea Bridge); 12.55pm at Wandsworth Bridge at 1pm Putney Bridge; 1.15pm at Hammersmith Bridge); 1.45pm at Chiswick Bridge; 2pm at Kew Bridge; 2.30pm at Richmond Bridge.
For more Thames Festival highlights see our feature.