Whitby’s rowing clubs celebrated as they brought the silverware home from The Great River Race in London at the weekend.
Dubbed London’s River Marathon, the course is a gruelling 21.6 mile row from Millwall in east London to Richmond in west London.
Winning their categories were Fisherlads’ under 14s girls, under 18s boys with under 18 girls coming second in the same category.
Fisherlads senior men’s came third in their category and were seventh overall, while over 60s mens also won their category. The same crew won the four-oared race.
Whitby’s Friendship won the fastest female crew.
Lindsay Close, from the Fisherlads club says it was a huge achievement for both clubs as they faced competition from nearly 300 other crews from across the UK and Europe.
She said: “It is a huge achievement for both clubs for sure and it is important both clubs are recognised for what they do.
“We were supported by parents, grandparents, friends – the whole shebang. It makes a huge difference having that, especially for me looking after junior crews so that was a massive help.
“A 21 mile race is a long way, it is a difficult race even for the adults so for the under 14s girls that has been amazing for them.”
While the rowing races were taking place, Matty Brown ran the 21.6 mile distance to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of his dad, Derek Brown.
Derek died on Regatta Sunday from prostate cancer and had rowed many times in The Great River Race as well as proudly rowing for both Fisherlads and Friendship crews over the years with his brothers Alan and Barry.
