Dark but not long until sun-up, that time every rower knows and associates with a cocktail of tiredness, anxiety and excitement. Not cold but definitely early autumn: no longer the long, hot, memorable summer of 2018. Getting on a coach in the garden suburb of Dusseldorf-Hamm we’re driven to the chemical town of Leverkusen. Three hours later we row 42 kilometres back to where we started.
The Rhine Marathon has been organised by Ruderclub Germania Dusseldorf 1904 since the early ‘70s when Germany was a very different country. Held on the first Saturday of October it now falls around Reunification Day on the 3rd and Oktoberfest, two features of the current version of Germany.
This is the tenth consecutive year a Billygoats crew have rowed the race. We know that because, unlike banks, broadband providers and insurance companies, the organisers reward loyalty. At the prize giving the crew were called up on stage and given engraved glasses marking the occasion. A thoughtful touch reminding us of the first year we rowed when we were welcomed with a commemorative plate.
We rowed for the first time at the invitation of another Fitz alumnus who had rowed with X-Press. The legacy was passed to us and now it’s time to pass it on. Why do it? The organisers provide a boat, blades and our excellent cox Wolfgang (who even stepped in to row this year as Clive was unable). They welcome you with a meal on Friday night and organise a party on Saturday. A coach is provided: all you do is pay. Accommodation is arranged: all you do is book. How long does it take? Like the University Boat Race, but only in this respect, it’s difficult to compare year on year because of conditions but the winning crew is around two hours, category winners up to 2 ½ hours, average crews up to three and however long for the rest: not that different from a runners marathon.
Plan for Saturday 5th October 2019: you won’t regret it.
Roly BEEVOR [1977], Simon COLE [1978], Neil GARDNER [1977], Dan GEORGE [1979], Nick TITTLE [1976], Clive WOODMAN [1977]