About Race
Beginning in 2002, the Gallagher Great Race Festival is a rowing regatta on a 3.85km upstream course on the Waikato River through central Hamilton. Starting at Ann Street with the finish line at the Ferry Bank (Grantham St), the festival sees the two premier University of Waikato crews – men and women – challenging the International competition.
Waikato River
The Great Race is held on a 3.85km “against the flow” course through central Hamilton on New Zealand’s largest river - the mighty Waikato. Waikato means “flowing water” and it flows for 425km beginning life in the snows and ice fields of Tongariro National Park.
Rowing Tradition
Rowing is one of the oldest Olympic sports with many references to renowned oarsmen recorded throughout history as far back as 1430 BC. The first known rowing races began on the River Thames in London when the professional waterman providing the ferry and taxi service would compete.
The Crews
Traditionally the Great Race takes place between the University of Waikato Senior Men's 8 crew and an international University crew who are invited to New Zealand to compete.The Boats
The boats used for the Gallagher Great Race are custom built identical Heavyweight Men’s 8+s (eights) from KIRS (Kiwi International Rowing Skiffs) in Cambridge, New Zealand, who have a reputation for building medal winning boats at World Championship and Olympic level.
The Winners
Since 2002, the University of Waikato have challenged crews from the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University, the University of Washington, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, the Australian National Crew and the NZ Women Academy Crew. Here you’ll find details of previous crews and who won.
The Trophies
The Women’s crew compete for the Bryan Gould Cup named after the politician and previous Vice Chancellor of the University of Waikato in recognition of his role in developing the Great Race Festival. The Men’s crew compete for the Harry Mahon Cup named after one of New Zealand’s best rowing coaches Harry Mahon OBE (1942-2001).
The Rules
These rules apply to the Gallagher Great Race, the Bryan Gould Cup and Secondary School races. The rules of racing of the New Zealand Rowing Association (NZRA) shall apply with some modification.
