Bedford will be welcoming more than 350 rowers from across the southeast this weekend to race head-to-head on the 2000m downstream course.
80 volunteers from Bedford Rowing Club will be on hand to organise the rowers and marsahll the race, which runs from 9am til 5pm.
Starting at Queens Park and finishing just after the Butterfly Bridge opposite Russell Park on the Embankment, members of the public are being invited down to support the boats which range in age from 17 to 80-years-old.
Hosts Bedford Rowing Club have been staging races on the River Great Ouse since the club launched in 1886.
Back then it was men only, however, today the race includes juniors, women, men, seniors and masters with everyone from former Olympians to young children who have just learnt to row.
Bedford Rowing Club Captain Mike Baker said: “Bedford has a long history of rowing and we are delighted to have crews from schools and clubs across the southeast of England competing across seven divisions.
“We would love to see the people of Bedford come down to cheer on the crews and enjoy bacon baps and a hot drink from the clubhouse balcony opposite The Swan Hotel.”
Bedford Rowing Club has produced regional and UK champions, most recently club member Ellie Cooke (19) who won two golds for England at the Home International Rowing Regatta.
Sunday’s Autumn Fours and Small Boats Head will see rowers from the age of 14 to 80 compete for a medal.
