The Great (Thames) River Race
London, September 8th 2007 . 
Now in its 20th year, the 22-mile Great River Race is London’s “most colorful and spectacular river event” and is open to all traditional-style boats powered by four or more oars/paddles. Winners are determined by a combination of self-propelled speed as well as a designated handicap. There are 35 trophies to be raced for, so your chances of “winning” are pretty good and the odds of having fun, the best! See all sorts of watercraft including Chinese dragon boats, Hawaiian war canoes, Viking longboats, Irish curraghs, whalers, and skiffs.
This year, 300 boats (and 2,000+) competitors are expected to partake in the race that traverses the River Thames. Crews come from all over, including America and Canada, Holland, Sweden, France, Germany, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and of course – the UK. Registration for the race closed in early August 2007, but there’s still time to make lodging arrangements. The race will start just below Ham House in Richmond, Surrey and end at Island Gardens Park in Greenwich. The closest TUBE STATION: Richmond.
HAM HOUSE (and HOTELS)
As said, the boat race will begin just below this 17th-century Stuart mansion, a popular attraction featuring period interiors, formal gardens, and a history of being one the most haunted houses in Britain. The following hotels and bed-and-breakfasts are within two miles of the great house and easy walking distance of the race.
Petersham Hotel, 0.9 miles
The Richmond Hill Hotel, 1 mile
The Richmond Gate Hotel, 1 mile
Richmond Park Hotel, 1 mile
Hobart Hall Hotel, 1.2 miles
Riverside Hotel, 1.3 miles
The Park, 1.5 miles
Bremic Hotel, 1.5 miles
Quinns Hotel, 1.6 miles
Shandon House Hotel, 1.7 miles
The Red Cow, 1.7 miles
The White Hart Hotel, 1.8 miles
Swallow Kingston Lodge Hotel, 2 miles
FOR SPECTATORS
As for spectators, the spirited race is free to enjoy and can be observed perfectly from a number of vantage points, including the 14 bridges along the Thames. Consider these check points: 1. Ham, Richmond 2. Richmond Bridge 3. Kew Gardens 4. Chiswick Bridge 5. Hammersmith Bridge 6. Putney Bridge 7. Wandsworth Bridge 8. Battersea Bridge 9. Westminster Bridge and 10. The Tower Bridge.
GRUELING 22 MILES
The top 50 boats are expected to cover the grueling 22-mile course in about five hours, but the remaining 250 vessels will make their way eventually. Throughout the day, on-lookers should be able to catch a glimpse of the fun!
And note this regarding the trophies, individual speed for each watercraft is calculated by computer and an assigned handicap (which does not account for crew ability). The idea is that each craft, regardless of type, should cross the finish line at the same time – with crew ability a constant. Thus, the crew that is able to pull the most out of their boat, is deemed the winner: The UK Traditional Boat Champions. So, at any time, from start (12:55) to finish (approx. 19:00), you could be watching a winner. Remember, there are 35 trophies to vie for.
* From 2006 by Ray Little. Photos reprinted with permission of The Great River Race.
Great Gorilla Run
Organized by the Gorilla Organization, the Fifth Annual Great Gorilla Run will take place on September 22, 2007 — to the delight of thousands, 1,000 runners/walkers in gorilla suits will race for 7km (approximately 4 miles) to the benefit of the endangered mountain gorilla.
Start time is 10:30 a.m., and the race itself will last about 30 minutes for runners and two hours for walkers. For everyone, it’s a day of charitable fun. Since its inception, it has drawn tens of thousands of supporters and inspired other cities to create their own such fun-run. For instance, San Francisco’s first Great Gorilla Run1 was held this year on June 10. A total success!
In addition to its amazing cause, what makes the London race such a treat is its route, which takes participants past many of the city’s most impressive sights, including Tower Bridge and The Tate Modern. For spectators, the route can be joined by a number of tube stations.
THE ROUTE
Starting at the London Underwriting Centre off Mincing Lane, EC3R, the route goes down Mark Lane to Tower Hill (1), onto Tower Bridge Rd. (2), then loops around to King William Street to Upper Thames Street (3). It then goes down Southwark Bridge Rd. to Bankside Jetty, onward to Hopton Street, where a turn is made up New Bridge Street to start the way back to Paul’s Walk and up Porter’s Hill. It continues to Queen Victoria Street (4), to Cornhill (5) and Leadenhall Street; then makes a hard left down Aldgate (6) to Fenchurch Street to Dunster Court, and back to Mark Lane. Fini!
TUBE STATIONS AND HOTELS
Runners and their supporters coming to London for the run will find well-located accommodation, and an assortment of tourist attractions, around these tube stations.
1. Tower Hill
Attraction: Tower of London, famed prison, palace and place of execution, royal history is steeped in it.
2. London Bridge Station
Attraction: Tate Modern (Upper Thames Street), across St. Paul’s Cathedral.
3. Monument
Attraction: The Monument, the tallest freestanding stone column in the world at 202 feet, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
4. Mansion House
Attraction: Mansion House (Palace of the London Mayor).
5. Bank
Attraction: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, plus St. Peter upon Cornhill, St. Michael’s Church Cornhill, and St. Katharine Cree Church.
6. Aldgate
Attraction: St. Botolph’s Church-Without-Aldgate (250 year-old church, built by George Dance the Elder, who also built the Mansion House.)
THE FEE?
For spectators, it’s of course free. Just bring your cheers. To partake in the “iconic charity fun run” however, it costs £100 for first-time runners/walkers, a fee which covers registration, a donation to the Gorilla Organization, and your gorilla suit. After the race, it’s yours to keep. (www.gorillas.org/GreatGorillaRun/)
Each participant’s goal is to be sponsored £400. To make it simple, find 20 people to sponsor for just £20 and you’ve met the goal.
GO APE!
In 2003, the very first Great Gorilla Run was held as a way to bring awareness to a critically-endangered species. Today, the determination to help is strong as ever and it’s quite clear that that support will always be there, so long as there is the need. Of course hopefully one day, there won’t be. Until that day though, be part of the effort and Go Ape!
After the fun-run, an after-party will take place for all runners/walkers and their friends. The location is currently under wraps, but it will be in central London. Tickets for runners are £5 and for others, just £10. All money raised from tickets will of course to go the Gorilla Organization (www.gorillas.org/_Shop/_GGR_Party).
Ben Jackson (the chap behind TubeHotels) is running for the gorillas. Please sponsor him.
* 2006 Great Gorilla Run, London. Photos reprinted with permission of the Gorilla Organization.
1 San Francisco’s inaugural race, also organized by the Gorilla Organization.