The Great River Race 2009

Regarded as the rowing equivalent of the London Marathon, the Great River Race is bursting with colour, spectacle, intense competition and casual fun. Due to tides, for the first time in its 22-year history, the 2009 race will be run upstream, starting at Millwall Slipway and finishing with a spectacular riverside party at Ham. The extensive course takes crews from the industrial cityscape of Docklands all the way along the Thames to the idyllic semi-rural Richmond shores. The idea for this Herculean test of strength and endurance was inspired by a 1987 charity event in which a passenger barge rowed from Hampton Court to the Tower of London. Entries have snowballed from a mere 72 entrants to a massive 300 boats carrying over 2,000 competitors, racing for 35 trophies. This prestigious event is a fun day out for all the family. Those not competing can take a picnic and settle down to watch the action or follow the winding course right to the heart of the city. Festivities along the river at Richmond will begin at noon with live music, a children's beach, donkey rides and food and drink stalls. The winning boat is expected to cross the line at around 2.10pm.