Race Report – Great Ouse Marathon 2026
Crews being welcomed by volunteers at Isle of Ely
Conditions for this year’s marathon were again bright and warm, but the strong breeze and current provided our competitors with some tricky steering conditions and an extra challenge on the final 5km of the Adelaide straight. As in previous years, the Great Ouse Marathon on 6th September 2026 was a huge success with 106 crews from more than 30 clubs tackling the 22km course from the West Norfolk Rowing Club at Denver Sluice to Ely. There was a great turn out from Isle of Ely this year, with 12 crews competing!
WMasC 8+ Eleanor (cox), Jo, Ruth, Jill, Kirsty, Tracey, Lyn, Liz, Kasia
OpMasB 1x Pete
OpMasE 1x Michael
OpMasE 1x Andrew
Op2x Mark, Colin
OpMasF 2x John, Andrew
MxMasD 2x Eduardo, Cathie
Junior Mx8+ Josh (cox), Jamie, Elliot S, Elliot M, Grace, Tom, Maisie, Antonia, Lilly
W4x- Amy, Judy, Debbie, Jaqui
W4x- Anna, Isabel, Katie, Saffron
WMasE 4x- Petra, Emma, Susan K, Susan M
Op2x Eryn, Matthew
Volunteers from Ely were ready at the landing stage to help crews off the water, with our Juniors carrying boats and blades for tired competitors. Isle of Ely took home pots for the Junior Mx8+ crew, Op2x (Mark Southwood and Colin Pryor), OpMasB1x (Pete Woodford) and OpMasE1x (Michael Hill). Full results and course records can all be found here. Winners pots were awarded by the Sheriff of Cambridge, Francis Burkitt, and our juniors loved meeting him and learning about his high sheriff outfit, including a ceremonial sword! Francis thoroughly enjoyed his day out at IoERC and was so enthusiastic about our club, saying ‘It was a brilliant day and I hugely enjoyed it, and it was great to meet so many people. You have a fabulous club and it’s so impressive that it’s entirely run by volunteers. Thank you for being so hospitable!’
As is traditional, competitors were able to show off their achievement with the purchase of a fabulous GOM 2026 t-shirt designed by Dylan Schoeman. Thanks to all our volunteers, athletes, bakers, marshals, umpires, and cheerleaders for making the GOM 2026 a huge success! And a special shout-out to West Norfolk Rowing Club members, whose invaluable support and organisation make this event possible! Next year’s GOM will be held on Sunday 5th Sept 2027 – save the date!
Racing crews and an interested local swan
Riding home at the end of a long day
Jason Harre
