Head of the River Race
The Head of the River Race is a time trial for men’s eights rowed each March on the tidal Thames in London. It runs from Mortlake to Putney over the Championship Course, the same water as the Boat Race but in the opposite direction.
How it works
A head race is processional. Crews do not start together. They set off one after another a few seconds apart, and the fastest time over the course wins.
Crews start in the order they finished the year before, with new entries at the back. A fast crew starting low down has to overtake to post a good time, which on a bending river is a skill in itself.
The course
| Start | Mortlake, near Chiswick Bridge |
| Finish | Putney |
| Distance | 4 1/4 miles, about 6.8 km |
| Tide | Rowed on the ebb, with the stream |
Winning crews usually take around 17 to 18 minutes. Several hundred eights race in a full year, which makes it one of the largest single races in the sport.
History
The race was founded in 1926 by the coach Steve Fairbairn. He wanted crews to have a reason to train over distance in the winter, and his saying “mileage makes champions” is still quoted.
Related races
The same course hosts a series of head races in late winter.
- The Women’s Eights Head of the River Race
- The Schools’ Head of the River Race
- The Vesta Veterans’ Head, for masters crews
- The Head of the River Fours, in November
Watching
The banks are free and open along the whole course. Hammersmith Bridge and the Putney embankment are the usual places to stand.