BRIC 2025 5k – race report

Three of Ely’s sweep squad headed to Birmingham in December for the British Rowing Indoor Championships. BRIC involves a whole lot of ergs lined up in the NEC – and a whole lot of keen rowers racing 2ks, short sprints and relays. The atmosphere is fab, and it’s impossible not to be inspired watching every possible category of juniors, masters, adaptive and elite rowers pushing themselves to the limit.

Lyn, Tanya and Jo raced in the women’s 5k final, an event added to the BRIC schedule by the rowing app EXR (virtual reality for indoor rowing … like Zwift for ergs). We qualified by finishing in the top 25 from EXR’s qualifying 5ks held online through October and November. The other finalists included previous BRIC champion Eli Wood, Holly Dunford from the GB eight, and Nanna Vigild from the Danish national squad … a surreal experience to race in this company, and hear our names called out alongside actual Olympians. Racing with EXR’s virtual reality screen and no way to see the normal Concept2 splits definitely made it feel more like a race and less like a test piece. Both nerve-wracking and exhilarating – but we held our heads high, put in a performance we’re proud of, and came home more motivated than ever.

All three of us agree: BRIC was special because it was both a personal challenge – where it was entirely in our own control to achieve what we wanted in the race itself – and at the same time massively influenced by the support of each other. We enjoyed it as much as we did because we took on the overall adventure as a team.

Now we’re looking ahead to next year with the aim of entering the main events, and we’d love to see more club members alongside us. Whether you’re new to the erg or already training regularly, there’s a place for you. Erg training is one of the most accessible ways to build fitness, confidence, and a strong sense of personal achievement. And to support safe and effective rowing on the water! Every session, every metre, every small improvement adds up.

If you’ve ever thought about giving it a go, or getting back into it, consider this your encouragement. Join us on the machines*, set yourself a goal, and see where the training takes you. Maybe it’s BRIC 2026, maybe it’s simply feeling stronger and more connected to the club community.

*and the online IOERC Concept2 club too – Concept2 holds free individual and club challenges all year round