On Wednesday, 2nd September 2026, the River Thames will once again host the oldest boat race and one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, the 312th 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.
28-year-old Charlie Milward, from Poplar, Blackwell and District Rowing Club, will row on Station 1 in Red. Charlie came third in last year’s race and works for Woods’ Silver Fleet in central London. On Station 2 in Orange is first-time competitor Callum Howard from Globe Rowing Club. Callum is 21 years old and works at HCH on cargo barges around Purfleet, Erith and Tilbury. He was apprenticed by his father Nick Howard, who also competed in the Doggett’s Race in 1999, finishing a close second.
Making his third appearance in the race will be Jack Finelli on Station 3 in Green, Jack trains at both Gravesend Rowing Club and Medway Towns Rowing Club. He came 2nd in last year’s race and now works for Cory Environmental as a Lighterman.
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 sporting competition. 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 and 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 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 approximately 12.30pm and the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager starting at 1.15pm.
