Race The Thames March 2021
Updated: Mar 30, 2021
Race The Thames 2021 was an online event that aimed to raise funds and awareness for London Youth Rowing (LYR), and the City of Sheffield New Boathouse Project.
City of Sheffield racers tackled the Thames on bikes and indoor rowing machines between 22nd and 29th March, in aid of LYR and our own club charity, which exists to support the development of rowing for people in Sheffield.
By the end of the gruelling week, the club managed to raise 160% of our £1,200 target. We would like to thank all of those who supported us before, during and after the event.
City of Sheffield Rowing Club pledged 50% of our target to LYR, who provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people to experience the benefits of rowing through a range of coaching, inclusion and health programmes. They work with over 5,000 young people each year across London, focused on the 12 most economically deprived boroughs. Young people taking part in LYR’s programmes are highly diverse – in 2019/20, 69% were from a BAME background and 49% were female. In addition, 8% had special educational needs or a disability.
The members of Sheffield Rowing were really inspired by LYR's work, and we'd love to do something like this to support young people in Sheffield. In order to make this possible, the club is desperately in need of improvement works of the existing facilities.
All remaining funds raised will go our charity's Boathouse Project, which will build better access to the water, increase the clubs capacity and connect it to mains electricity - all to provide a warm, well-lit, safe and welcoming environment for new members and volunteers.
There are three clubs sharing the existing facilities at Sheffield's Damflask Reservoir, and they are all united in fundraising efforts for the future of rowing in the city. Our three crews are each named after one of the club's 8s from past or present:
Dambuster (Sheffield Hallam University)
Domin8trix (University of Sheffield)
Steel City (City of Sheffield)
The club's racers were an eclectic mix of City rowers and friends from further afield, containing some of its oldest and newest members. They completed a combined distance of 1,038km - some in short sprints over the course of race week, and some all-in-one day!
Although the main focus of event was to raise money for a number of really well deserving charities, there were still some very competitive results produced by the Sheffield crews.
Domin8rix came 6th out of the entire 101 crew field, and 2nd out of 43 in the mixed crews. Dambuster finished 25th overall and 2nd in the master's field. Steel City finished 80th overall and 9th in the all-female category.