Forget the London Olympic Games 2012’s rowing event, as London’s Head of the River Race is the largest continuous rowing event in the world. Taking place on March 17, 2012, this highly prestigious event will see 420 “eights”, that’s boats with eight rowers for the rowing-terminology uninformed, flock to the River Thames to participate in this extremely competitive event.

The Head of the River Race 2012 begins at Mortlake and takes rowers down the Thames for 6800 metres, that’s 4 and quarter miles, to Putney, where the race finishes – a challenge which makes the 2000 metre Olympic regatta look like child’s play in comparison!

This truly engaging race takes approximately two hours to finish and if weather conditions are a little on the harsh side, which they often can be in mid-March in the UK, it only adds to the exhilaration and dynamics of the event!

Being such an exciting sporting fixture, the River Thames banks are literally brimming with spectators on the day of the Head of the River Race, all eager to catch a glimpse of the rowers as the glide past.

With the best view of the race being at the northern part of Hammersmith Bridge, the crowds are particularly heavy here, which, of course, only adds to the atmosphere and excitement of this formidable annual sporting event.

Another popular place to watch the Head of River Race 2012 in London is the Surrey Bank above Chiswick Bridge, which, similar to Hammersmith Bridge, is brimming with people, atmosphere and exhilaration.

You don’t have to be a professional rower or a devout rowing enthusiast to enjoy London’s Head of the River Race 2012, as the thousands that pour onto the River Thames’ banks on the day of the race prove!