Great River Race, live.

London's River Marathon from Millwall to Richmond

The Great River Race takes crews 21.6 miles up the Thames from Millwall in the east to Richmond in the west on 18 September 2027.

The race started in 1988 with 61 boats crewed by enthusiasts from rowing clubs, pubs, schools, boating societies and the armed services. It now has around 300 crews and is an international event, with competitors from America, Australia and many European countries.

The course runs 21.6 miles upstream from Millwall to Richmond, passing under London's famous bridges. It is a race for fixed seat craft only, and a large variety of boats take part, including the traditional Thames Watermen's Cutters. Following the Watermen principle, every crew carries a passenger and a cox along with a flag, and a handicapping system keeps the racing fair.

The race appeals to every level, from crews chasing their records every year to those who come for the fun, fancy dress and charity fundraising. Adult, junior and disabled competitors can enter, with junior categories for under 14, 16 and 18 crews, who need an adult in the boat as cox or passenger, and veteran categories for V40+ and V60+. Entries for the 2027 race open on 1 April.

Thousands of supporters line the route as crews row under the bridges, and the organiser publishes parking information for Millwall and Ham. Crews entering age related classes need to choose them before filling in the entry form, because it changes the invoice, and juniors pay a discounted rate.

On Livebib you can follow a crew member live when they choose to share their own position from the phone they carry in the boat. That position comes from the participant, not from the race's timing, and official results come from the organiser.