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From its debut in 1988, the 22 mile 'Great River Race' has firmly established itself in the sporting calendar. It was inspired by the immense interest generated by a 1987 charity event in which the famous Doggett's Coat & Badge winners from The Company of Watermen & Lightermen rowed its shallop, or passenger barge, from Hampton Court to The Tower of London.
The idea that emerged was to find the UK Traditional Boat Champions by issuing an all-comers challenge to beat the Doggett's men - racing on a handicap basis. Entries are restricted to traditional-style, coxed craft powered by a minimum of four oars or paddles. And, in keeping with the Company's historic responsibility to apprentice and licence Watermen to carry passengers on the tidal Thames, each boat has to carry a passenger. To give all crews an equal chance, entrants are handicapped according to the calculated potential performance of their boats.
It is run on a 'slowest away first, fastest last' pursuit basis, with every boat individually timed over the course. Despite a start line handicap period of well over an hour, some close racing is always expected - and achieved.
The race attracts both the true racer and the recreational rower and, in developing into 'London's River Marathon', is doing for rowing what the 'Road Marathon' did for running. The course is a gruelling 22 miles from Richmond to London docklands although this year rowed in reverse to coincide with the tides.
The winners on handicap hold, for one year, the handsome Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen.
Dee Barron of Coleman Insurance rowed and coxed with one of 4 teams from Swanage Sea Rowing Club in the gig ‘Siren’ which was kindly loaned to them by Appledore Gig Club. The crew decided to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Trust Christchurch..
The majority of the crew comprised one family. The triplets (16) and their older brother (18) did tremendously well to row such a long distance and with some help from friends and partners (who also did their bit!), we completed the 22 miles in 2 hours, 39 seconds (42nd fastest out of app. 300 boats).
We have raised just over £500 for MCT- not a huge sum but enough to help their worthy cause.
Trust Secretary Neal Williams said "We are delighted to have received £500.00 from this most gruelling challenge. Our congratulations to all those who took part in this event. This donation will make a considerable difference to those in our care, and we are very grateful."
The crew would like to thank everyone who supported us – look out for us again on the river in 2010!
Arial Photograph courtesy of James Chetwode - Birdman Photography
| E Coleman & Co Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority under agreement number 306919. The company is registered in England under company number 1196449. Registered office: 1 St Stephens Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 6LA |
