The Head of the River Race (HORR) is a rowing race held annually on the Thames in London from Mortlake to Putney. The race was devised by Steve Fairbairn and first held on 12 December 1926 with 23 entries. Today 420 crews compete on the 4¼ mile (6.8 km) course. The race is only open to men's eights and is considered to be the peak of the head race season — attracting the top UK crews as well as foreign clubs.

The course is identical to that of the Boat Race except rowed in the opposite direction. The starting time for the race is different every year and depends on the tide — the first crew (winner from the previous year) starts at high tide.

The record time of 16 min 37 s was set in 1989 by the Great Britain National Squad.

Also raced over the same course are the Schools' Head of the River Race (SHORR), organised by Westminster School, the Head of the River Fours, sponsored by Fuller's, the Women's Head of the River Race (WeHORR), and the Veterans' Head of the River Race.

Trophies

A number of trophies are awarded for the fastest crews under different categories:

• Vernon Trophy — club crews normally rowing on the Thames Tideway (between Teddington Lock and the mouth of the Thames)
• Page Trophy — club crews normally rowing on the Thames (or its tributaries) and ineligible for the Vernon Trophy
• Jackson Trophy — club crews ineligible for the Vernon or Page Trophies
• Services Pennant — crews from Her Majesty's Armed Forces
• Ortner Shield — first university crews
• BUSA Second Pennant — second university crews
• Overseas Entrants Trophy — crews from overseas

"Club crews" refers to all ARA clubs except universities, colleges, and schools.

There are also pennants awarded to the fastest S1, S2, S3, S4, Novice (ARA status), and Lightweight crews.

External links

• Head of the River Race official website

Rowing in the United Kingdom | Sport in London | River Thames

Head of the River Race