Students aim for Medway Boat Race honours

The Medway Boat Race, now a firm fixture in Medway’s sporting calendar, will take place on Saturday, 23rd May. Student rowers from the three universities which share the campus at Chatham Maritime; Kent, Canterbury Christ Church and Greenwich, will battle it out for the right to call themselves heads of the river in Medway.

Both women’s and men’s races will take place, with rowers once more tackling a course of approximately 2.6 kilometres, between Cuxton and the Esplanade in Rochester.

Last year the women’s crew from the University of Greenwich and Kent’s men’s crew took top honours.

The event has been organised by Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA), which represents all students at the shared Medway campus. UMSA’s Activities Co-ordinator Claire Dicker said: "It’s a fantastic day for everyone involved, and we expect the competition between the three universities to be as keen as ever."

"Students have been working throughout the winter months on their fitness and rowing techniques, in readiness for the race. They’re all desperate to win, as they know how special it is to go and collect the trophies in front of the spectators."

People can watch the races from the open area on The Esplanade in Rochester, near to Hathaway Court. The action starts at approximately 1pm on 23rd May. The event is being sponsored by Rochester Bridge Trust.

Nick Ellwood
University of Kent