Uni Boat Club Race to test the best – University of Reading
19 February 2008The University of Reading's prestigious annual 'Head of the River Race' is due to be held on the River Thames in Reading on Saturday 23 February.
More than 2,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the Thames to watch some fantastic racing, as each year the competition gets stronger and stronger. Oxford Boat club have entered the crew competing in the University Boat Race in London; their only public race before they battle it out against Cambridge. Also among the 185 boats entered, are strong crews from the world famous Leander and Henley clubs.
Now in its 73rd year, the race has been run by the students of Reading University Boat Club (RUBC) since 1935 and is not only the largest student-run public sporting event in the country, but also the fourth oldest and largest head of the river race. The picturesque course follows the river downstream on the six kilometre stretch between Mapledurham and Caversham Locks, one of the best reaches of the middle Thames.
University of Reading Director of Rowing Will Rand says the day promises to be extremely exciting: "The event is the perfect practice run for the crews looking to do well at the Eights Head of the River this year. It was extremely disappointing the race had to be cancelled last year but the weather is set fair for this Saturday, so hopefully there will be a large crowd to watch and cheer on the very best rowing talent this country has to offer."
The first race starts at 11am at the Roebuck Ferry Crossing, Tilehurst, and finishes opposite the Reading University Boathouses in Caversham, a distance of around 4.25 kilometres.
The main prizes include:
The Roe Challenge Cup awarded to the fastest crew. Previous winners include Isis BC, Oxford Brookes BC, University of London BC and Leander Club.
The Coronation Cup awarded to the fastest Senior III crew. Previous winners include Pangbourne College, Imperial College and Nottingham University BC.
The Bourne Cup awarded to the fastest school crew. Previous winners include Radley College BC, St Paul's BC and Eton College BC.
The Mackintosh Trophy awarded to the fastest British University crew. Previous winners include Oxford Brookes BC and Imperial College BC.
For more information about the event, contact Will Rand, the Director of Rowing at the University of Reading.
Mob: 07989 972 594
Email: w.rand@reading.ac.uk
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For media enquiries only, please contact James Barr, the University's Press Assistant on: 0118 378 7115 or by email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk