Star Oars as Great River Race starts from Isle of Dogs

Published: 7:01 PM September 7, 2009

Updated: 8:14 AM October 14, 2020

BOATS of all shapes and sizes took to the Thames in this year s 22 mile Great River Race which started at the Isle of Dogs and finished at Ham, near Richmond. Now in its 21st year the race took the theme of Star Oars and was started off on Saturday by D

BOATS of all shapes and sizes took to the Thames in this year's 22 mile Great River Race which started at the Isle of Dogs and finished at Ham, near Richmond.

Now in its 21st year the race took the theme of Star Oars and was started off on Saturday by Darth Vader, flanked by Storm Troopers.

Many competitors donned fancy dress and rowed a range of boats including dragon boats, Celtic longboats and Hawaiian outriggers.

Tower Hamlets young mayor Uma Akther was on hand to watch the 300 boats leave from the Docklands Sailing Club at Millwall Outer Dock.

The fastest boats finished in just over two hours with The Rafters finishing the course in two hours and eight minutes in their dragon boat before starting off the party to celebrate the end of the gruelling race.