On Wednesday, 10th September 2025, the River Thames will once again host the oldest boat race and one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, the 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager. This year, three maritime professionals will compete against each other along the fast-flowing tidal Thames in single sculls. Over the course, they will pass under eleven of London’s most iconic bridges, racing upriver over 4 miles and 5 furlongs (7.44 km) between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. The winner will be awarded one of the City of London’s most prestigious accolades: the Red Coat and Silver Badge.
27-year-old Charlie Milward, from Poplar, Blackwell and District Rowing Club, will row on Station 1 in White. Charlie started rowing recently and works as a High-Speed Master for Uber Boats by Thames Clippers. Making his fourth and final appearance in the race will be Coran Cherry on Station 2 in Black, also from Poplar, Blackwell and District Rowing Club. In Blue, on Station 3, will be Jack Finelli of Medway Towns Rowing Club. He first raced Doggett’s in 2019, and this is the 27-year-old’s second attempt. He is also an amateur boxer and works as a Captain on tugs and workboats for CPBS Marine Services.
The oldest boat race in the world, Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager was established in 1715 and has now been contested by watermen and lightermen for more than 300 years, making it the oldest continuous race in any sport. Combining tough competition, heritage, and pageantry, the Doggett’s Wager is one of the UK’s most unique events, with winners going on to long careers on the water, and in some cases racing for Great Britain, or ceremonial duties for the Royal Family. It is organised collaboratively by The Fishmongers’ Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. It is overseen by race Umpire Bobby Prentice, the Bargemaster to the Fishmongers’ and a former Doggett’s winner, who set the course record of 23 minutes 22 seconds in 1973.
This year’s race gains additional significance with the involvement of Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers and the current Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, who is also a Doggett’s winner from 1990. Collins has devoted his career to preserving the rich traditions of the Thames’ working river community while fostering innovation within London’s contemporary river transport network.
He said: “Traditions such as the Doggett’s Coat and Badge are not merely about reflecting on the past; they emphasise the transmission of skills, values, and pride that have shaped the Thames over the centuries. The Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager serves as a tangible connection between the waterage skills of yesteryear and the competencies of future watermen.”
Spectators can enjoy this prestigious race from any of the 11 Thames bridges all the way to Chelsea, with the pageant commencing from London Bridge at 11:30am and the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager starting at 12:15pm.
