It is always a pleasure to have a look at the boats and crews at the start of the Great River Race , the range of boats waiting on the Millwall slipway vary in size and shape. The same could be said about the crews, many in fancy dress who stand in anticipation of the challenge ahead.
It is known as the ‘River Marathon’ because the course is 21.6 Miles from the Isle of Dogs to Ham in Surrey. The UK Traditional Boat Championship or the Great River Race as it is known has become a favourite with crews and the public.
The start from the Isle of Dogs is one of the great sights on the river as over three hundred boats make their way around Limehouse reach to begin their approach to the centre of London.
The event is a spectacular boat race up the River Thames that often attracts over 300 crews from all over the globe and appeals to every level of competitor from the fun rowers to the more serious racers.There are 35 trophies at stake for the various classes of boats and competitors..
The Race began in 1988 , but has grown each year and is a real global event attracting crews from all over the world. To give all crews an equal chance, entrants were handicapped according to the calculated potential performance of their boats. This was done using a sophisticated computer programme.
As well as the crews , the entertainment is provided by the amazing array of boats on display from the ever popular Dragon Boats to Waterman Cutters.
To make sure you don’t miss the race here are some timings:
From 7:35 hours.
MILLWALL RIVERSIDE, WESTFERRY ROAD
Competing crews arrive, register and prepare their boats for the launch and of course the Race.
10:45
MILLWALL DOCK SLIPWAY
The start of the first of the 300-odd entrants.
Boats leave on a ‘slowest first, fastest last’ handicap basis, giving all crews an equal chance.
11:15
TOWER BRIDGE
11:30
WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
11:35
LAMBETH BRIDGE
11:50
BATTERSEA BRIDGE
12:00
WANDSWORTH BRIDGE
12:05
PUTNEY BRIDGE
12:20
HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE
12:50
CHISWICK BRIDGE
13:05
KEW BRIDGE
13:35
RICHMOND BRIDGE
13:45
RIVERSIDE BELOW HAM HOUSE, RICHMOND
Finish
For more details visit The Great River Race website here
Isle of Dogs Life 
On the post about the start of the GRR, your sixth picture (three boats with crews in white, blue and green) shows me and my crew in boat 203, the Weddle. I wonder if you have a higher resolution copy of the image you could share with us?