Get set for the 311th edition of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager, the oldest boat race in the world

The 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager is ready to write it’s next chapter and three rowers have thrown their hat into the ring to win the famous prize

This Wednesday, the oldest boat race will return to the Thames for its 311th edition. Established in 1715, Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager is one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, and this year, three challengers are ready to write their names into the history books.

Making his fourth and final appearance in the race will be Coran Cherry on Station Two in Black, from Poplar, Blackwell and District RC.

Coran and his family have got personal ties with the race which go back to 2021. His first attempt at the race was that year, after it was postponed due to the global pandemic.

“The first attempt was when my son was born; he was premature,” explained Cherry.

“After that, I’ve had it in me to finish it off and win it. He was born when I was at Blackfriars Bridge. They gave me notice as I was going afloat, but I thought, ‘Well, I’m boating, I’ll be quick!’ I couldn’t get my head in it at all, and it was painfully slow, but I finished it, finished fourth, but ever since, I’ve had it in me to have another go and hopefully win.

“My son is called Blue because I competed in that colour as well.”

Over the course, they will pass 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. The winner will be awarded one of the City of London’s most prestigious accolades: the Red Coat and Silver Badge.

27-year-old Charlie Milward, from Poplar, Blackwell and District RC, will row on Station One in White. Charlie started rowing recently and works as a High-Speed Master for Uber Boats by Thames Clippers.

“When I was an apprentice many years ago, I said to my master, who was my cousin, that I’d promise to row the race if I finished my freedom,” explained Milward.

“I’m fulfilling a promise, and the more I’ve trained, the more I’ve fallen in love with the sport. This is my first attempt. It’s all very new and I’m quite raw, but we’ll see how we go on the day.

“It would mean a lot to be a part of history and to say that I’ve done it and participated in it. If I don’t win, then you’ll see me next year!

In Blue, on Station 3, will be 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.

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.

Speaking ahead of this year’s race, Prentice had plenty of advice for all three competitors. “I tell them all the time to concentrate on the course and not to go wide,” explained the course record holder.

“It’s a long course; there are a lot of bends in the river, and the bends are wide down here. If they go wide, they can lose so much ground. They also need to be aware of obstacles on the course, which are buoys, mooring barges, and things like that. It’s important to give themselves plenty of room when crossing because we have had experiences in the past of scullers coming into barges, and I do emphasise that, and anything I see, I will warn them, but I always stress that I’m not steering them. I’m not telling them what course to steer; that’s up to them.

“When I raced Doggett’s, I had done a bit of junior rowing. I had won the junior championship singles. I remember hitting a small oil drum at Vauxhall, thinking, ‘What have I done?!’ I had a good race, and the conditions were fast, hence the time that it was.

“I think it means everything to me. It’s a great race. It’s a great experience for our apprentices coming up as freemen and rowing in the race. We’ve all rowed on the Tideway and rowed at Heads of the River and so on, but this is a little bit different down here. It’s a bit deeper, a bit faster, and it’s tight going through the bridges, but it’s a great experience, a great race, and it’s been going on for over 300 years. We need to keep it going,” he continued.

The 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager will take place at 12.15 on 10 September 2025.