The Great River Race 20th September 2025

Over 2000 people in more than 270 boats will take part in London’s river marathon – the Great River Race. It starts at Millwall in East London and ends at Ham, Richmond.  Crews from all over the world will compete for the fastest time, raise vital funds for charities, and have a lot of fun in fancy dress.

Spectators can watch from the 28 London bridges with events along the course, and gather at Richmond for the finish, including prizegiving and after party. The Great River Race is part of the Totally Thames Festival.

The Great River Race is open to any traditional style boat, powered by a minimum of 4 oars or paddles, and carrying a cox and passenger, to emulate the craft of London’s Watermen who used to ferry people across the Thames.

The event will start at 10:15am. The finish event is at Ham, Richmond – TW10 7TS – where there are food stalls, and a bar. Following the prizegiving there is a DJ. The fastest boat overall wins the Challenge Trophy of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. The race record is 2h 2mins 21 seconds – most crews will finish closer to three hours.