Coran Cherry wins 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager

On his fourth and final attempt, the Poplar, Blackwell and District RC sculler came out on top

Last week, the River Thames hosted the world’s oldest boat race and one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, the 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager. This year’s race was won by Coran Cherry from Erith in Kent, representing Poplar, Blackwell and District RC in a time of 27 minutes and 1 second. It was Coran’s fourth and final attempt at the race, and he will now be awarded one of the City of London’s most prestigious accolades: the Red Coat and Silver Badge. He was coached by Dan Bartlett and C J White and trained at Poplar, Blackwell and District RC based on the Isle of Dogs in East London.

The race saw three maritime professionals compete against each other along the fast-flowing tidal Thames in single sculls. Over the course, they passed under eleven of London’s most iconic bridges, racing upriver over 4 miles and 5 furlongs (7.44 km) between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. It was one of the closest and hardest-fought races of recent years, with just 90 seconds separating the competitors.

In second place was Jack Finelli of Medway Towns RC. He first raced Doggett’s in 2019, and this is the 27-year-old’s second attempt. He is also an amateur boxer and works as a Captain on tugs and workboats for CPBS Marine Services. In third place was 27-year-old Charlie Milward, also from Poplar, Blackwell and District RC. Charlie started rowing recently and works as a High-Speed Master for Uber Boats by Thames Clippers.

Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers and the Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, who is also a Doggett’s winner from 1990, said: “The three rowers demonstrated grit and determination, delivering their best performance. Congratulations to the winner Coran and thanks to the coaches that have supported all three, without their hard work we would not have seen such a well contested race.”

The oldest boat race in the world, Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager, was established in 1715 and has now been contested by watermen and lightermen for more than 300 years, making it the oldest continuous race in any sport. Combining tough competition, heritage, and pageantry, the Doggett’s Wager is one of the UK’s most unique events, with winners going on to long careers on the water, and in some cases racing for Great Britain, or ceremonial duties for the Royal Family. It is organised collaboratively by The Fishmongers’ Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. It is overseen by race umpire Bobby Prentice, the Bargemaster to the Fishmongers’ and a former Doggett’s winner, who set the course record of 23 minutes 22 seconds in 1973.

The finishing times for the three competitors were:

Coran Cherry, 27m 1s
Jack Finelli, 28m 14s
Charlie Milward, 28m 30s