The question of who runs the Tyne River is soon to re-emerge as Newcastle take on Durham on the 17 March in the Boat Race of the North. Featuring both the male and the female teams, 6 races will determine who rules the waves in this prestigious, annual event.
Following the first meeting in 1997, Durham dominated the early years, with Newcastle failing to beat their Northern neighbors until 2009. The tide has very much turned since the Toon’s first victory, with 2018 representing the 10-year anniversary of Durham’s last taste of success.
The races are held over a 1500-meter course, which provides short, explosive competition under Newcastle’s famous bridges. Such excitement has meant that this clash has always attracted mass support to the Tyne and Millennium Bridges’. Indeed, despite the wind and the rain that swept over Newcastle last year, the enthralling competition was witnessed by hundreds, clearly buoyed by the prospect of witnessing Newcastle continuing their impressive winning streak over their rivals up the road.
This is therefore a must-see event, for more reasons than one. Going completely against recent evidence, no doubt this year the sun will be shining down on the iconic backdrop that is Newcastle’s quayside. What is more certain, is that the Newcastle team will be strong, and out to squash any chances of a Durham revival.
