45 years of Rhine marathon racing

The 42.8km race goes from the Leverkusen Rowing Club to the Germania Dusseldorf Rowing Club on the Rhine River which includes navigating past commercial ships, under bridges and around other competitors. This year there were nearly 900 participants making up 160 teams and hailing from 85 clubs.

The entries included the largest ever contingent of foreign clubs including those from Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands and France as well as participants from throughout Germany. Amongst them were current World Champions as well as Olympic athletes and those that had come relatively recently to rowing.

The fastest boat finished in a time of 2:07.22 with a composite crew made up of Neuwieder Rowing-Gesellschaft, Stuttgart-Cannstatter Rowing Club and Tilburgse Open Roeivereinigung. This time was completed in conditions of relatively low water, only a small amount of flow, very little wind and no rain. The sun was shining for some of the race. In second place was an entry from the Germania Dusseldorf Rowing Club with a crew that included 2016 World silver medallist in the lightweight women’s quadruple sculls, Leonie Pieper as well as 2010 World Champion Robby Gerhardt. They finished in a time of 2:09. 50.

Participants range in age from junior through to rowers in their 70s. This included Michael Donnellan from Fermoy Rowing Club in Ireland who was competing in this regatta for his 25^th time. Donnellan came with a large number of Irish participants. There were also 1968 Olympic representatives Guenter Schroers and Albrecht Mueller.

Copy and photos thanks to Detlev Seyb