A formal head-to-head challenge from the Dutch Marines to beat its entries in The Great River Race on September 12 has been accepted by the Royal Navy which has confirmed that at least one of its own fleet will be crewed by Royal Marines. However, by the time the Dutch reach the Start on the Thames at Millwall, they will just have completed a charity row of over 220 miles across the North Sea, perhaps providing the Royal Marines with a slight advantage over the 21.6 mile course of The Great River Race.

Together, they will join more than 300 boats from all over the UK and around the world competing in the Race to find the UK Traditional Boat Champions. The entry includes gigs, skiffs, cutters, currachs, jolly boats, naval whalers, Chinese dragon boats, Hawaiian war canoes, Viking longships, shallops, skerries, wherries and many, many more. The Race starts from Millwall Slipway E14, at 1045 and the leading boat is expected to cross the Finish line, below Ham House, Richmond, TW10, at around 1340.

More than 2,500 competitors will brave theGreat River Race course, from dedicated regular racers to fun rowers and paddlers, ranging from barely-teenage Scouts to national champions. Crews are entered by groups as diverse as rowing clubs, councils, schools, livery companies, pubs, youth clubs, police, fire brigades, the Armed Services, banks and other companies.

Many will be striving to win the premier prize, the Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames, awarded to the first boat over the line, to figure in one of the 33 other classes or simply to finish and collect a much-prized participation certificate. The Race is run on a ‘slowest away first, fastest last’ pursuit handicap basis, meaning the last boat away will have to make up over an hour to win.

Most will be raising money for charity, including the Race’s official 2015 charity, Seafarers UK, and many are sure to add to the spectacle of the Race by competing in fancy dress.

Stuart Wolff, Race Director and Founder of the Great River Race comments:  ‘From humble beginnings in 1988 when our first Race attracted 72 crews from six nations, the public’s imagination and interest has helped it become the international event it is today. And the challenge between the British and Dutch Marines simply adds more spice to what has become Europe’s most colourful and spectacular river event!’

The Great River Race starts from the Millwall Slipway, opposite the Docklands Sailing Centre, Westferry Road E14 3QS at 1045 hours on Saturday, September 12, with boats leaving on handicap for an hour. A winner is expected at Ham Riverside, below Ham House, Richmond at about 13.40 hours, with approximate intermediate bridge timings as follows: Tower – 11.15; Millennium – 11.20; Westminster – 11.30; Lambeth – 11.35; Battersea – 11.50; Wandsworth – 12.00; Putney – 12.05; Hammersmith – 12.20; Chiswick – 12.50; Kew – 13.05 and Richmond – 13.35

Activities at Ham Riverside, below Ham House, will start at 12.00 with a bar, street food from around the world, live music and a free family area featuring Punch & Judy, face painting, games galore and interactive circus tricks training.