Crews set out on gruelling GB Row 2013

Six brave crews of rowers set out from London on June 1st to take part in GB Row 2013 – a 2,000-mile non-stop row around the coast of mainland Britain.

The crews of men and women, made up of pairs, fours and a six, are trying to beat the current World Record time of 26 days 21 hours and 14 minutes set in 2005.

The first crew to break that record will receive a £100,000 bonus – the richest prize in rowing anywhere in the world.

During the first days after the race began at Tower Bridge in London the Islanders, a four-man crew, were ahead of the world record pace. Just behind them are Team Hallin, skippered by ex-GB rower David Hosking, father of Sophie Hosking who won Olympic gold at Eton Dorney in the lightweight women’s sculls.

In third place is Oarsome Adventure a crew of six – four men and two women. Five of the crew are Celtic longboat rowers and skipper Mikey Buckley rowed the Atlantic in Titan earlier this year.

Former Olympians Alex Partridge, Robin Bourne-Taylor, Sarah Winckless, Alastair Heathcote and Matthew Langridge are ambassadors and mentors for the competing boats.

Thousands of rowing fans have already become hooked on tracking this amazing race as it unfolds in the waters around Britain. 

To follow GBRow 2013, log on to www.gbrowchallenge.com. You can also download the FREE Yellowbrick app from the App Store and click on the GBRow 2013 icon.

Check out this amazing video of the start of GBRow 2013, which included the Queen’s Rowing Barge Gloriana, rowed for the first time by a team from Royal Navy:

The next GB Row will take place in 2015. If you are interested in taking part, visit the GB Row website.