[Chrysoulla Photography]

THE world’s oldest boat race, one of the longest-running sports events in the world, was won by a 21-year-old.

Callum Howard, who works on cargo barges, completed the 312th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager in 28 minutes and 29 seconds. His dad Nick Howard won the race in 1999.

This year’s race saw three maritime professionals, below, compete against each other along the fast-flowing tidal Thames in single sculls. In second place was Jack Finelli, 28, of Medway Towns Rowing Club. He first raced Doggett’s in 2019 and this was his third attempt. In third place was Charlie Milward, also 28, from Poplar, Blackwall and District Rowing Club.

[Chrysoulla Photography]

Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers and the Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, who is also a Doggett’s winner from 1990, said: “The three rowers demonstrated grit and determination delivering their best performance, congratulations to the winner Callum and thanks to the coaches that have supported all three. Without their hard work we would not have seen such a well-contested race.”

The oldest boat race in the world, the wager was established in 1715 and has now been contested for more than 300 years, making it the oldest continuous race in any sport.

Combining tough competition, heritage, and pageantry, it’s seen winners going on to long careers on the water, and in some cases racing for Great Britain, or undergoing 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. It is overseen by race umpire Bobby Prentice, also a former winner, who set the course record of 23 minutes 22 seconds in 1973.