Head of the River

The Head of the River Race is rowed annually in March from Mortlake to Putney on the Tideway in London. Up to 400 crews of eights take part, making it one of the highest participation events in London.

Taking place on 7th, 18th, 21st and 22nd March 2020, the races see hundreds of national and international crews of eight rowers take to the waters to compete in this historic event.

Rowed over the 4.25 mile (6.8km) Thames Championship Course, the race begins at Mortlake and ends at Putney (the opposite direction to the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Races), taking around two hours from the time the first crew sets off to the time the last crew crosses the finish line. Crews start one after the other, at 10-second intervals. The winner is the crew which completes the race in the fastest time.

The annual Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race is on Sunday 29th March 2020, when the world focuses on us. Find out more about Boat Race Day here.