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.

 

The penultimate race of the festival has the two women's crews racing for the Bryan Gould Cup. The final race is between the two men’s crews who race for the coveted Harry Mahon Trophy.

The Indoor Row

The Indoor Row happens in the week running up to the race weekend. It sees corporate teams and international teams racing on rowing machines in pairs. Corporate teams take part in a knock-out competition while the Gallagher Great Race crews have a one-off race to decide which crew or team will challenge the University of Waikato crew in the main Men’s and Women’s races on the Sunday. Novice teams race 250 metres on the rowing machines while the Corporate and Sponsor teams race 350 metres.

The Million Metre Row

Also on Race Day - Sunday 11 September, 9am until noon - the Mighty River Power Million Metre Row is a land based ERG event where teams row on ergs until the combined total of all teams reaches one million metres. Team entries come from corporates, the Police, the Fire Brigade, charity groups and sporting teams. Each team consists of between eight and ten people depending on fitness levels and ability. This event is lots of fun with spot prizes and free entry.