Head to London Bridge for the start of the 296th annual Doggetts Coat and Badge Race, which will see six newly qualified Thames Watermen and Lightermen row along the Thames in a bid to be crowned champion.

Doggetts Coat and Badge Race
Said to be one of the oldest continuing sporting contests in the UK, if not the world, the Doggetts Coat and Badge Race was first established in 1715. The single scull race covers a distance of 4 miles 7 furlongs, and is open to newly qualified members of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen who operate on the River Thames.

Long history
Established almost 300 years ago, the Doggetts Coat and Badge Race was first organised by the Irish actor and comedian Thomas Doggett. Doggett regularly used the Watermen of the Thames, the taxi drivers of their day, on his trips around the city, and donated a scarlet coat and silver badge to be won in a boat race between six of the newly qualified Watermen. Generations of rowers have been racing for the prize ever since.

The 2009 race
If you want to catch sight of the competitors racing for the prize and glory in 2009, then keep a look out on the Thames on Friday 10th July. The race starts at 12.30pm by London Bridge, and finishes in Chelsea.

The Doggetts Coat and badge Race starts 12.30pm, Friday 10th July 2009 at London Bridge. The race is free to watch.