Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Charles River last weekend to watch the 41st annual Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest two-day rowing event.
About 7,500 rowers from as far away as South Africa, Turkey and Australia raced against both the clock and their fellow rowers in 26 men’s and women’s events.
National teams, university squads and rowing clubs competed against each other in races matching single rowers, doubles and groups of four or eight.
Rowers began at the Boston University boathouse on the Cambridge side of the Charles River. The three-mile event saw rowers pass under seven bridges before arriving at Artesani Park in Brighton.
College of Arts and Sciences freshman Laura Stoeth said she experienced the enormous rowing event for the first time.
“Schools came from all over the country and all over the world,” she said. “It was intense.”
Before the Regatta began, rowers were already in fierce competition with each other for the opportunity to participate in the event. Fifty percent of entries are turned away from the event, according to official event information.
Some of the top rowers from around the world were on hand to display their skill and intensive preparation for the Regatta. Rowers ranged in age from 15 to 85.
“It was impressive,” Stoeth said. “They trained for a long time.” While the teams raced on the river, several well-known bands performed for spectators in “Row-a-Palooza,” among them Toby Lightman, Zox and The All-American Rejects.
In addition to the music, attendees could enjoy the third annual Reunion Village, an enclosed area where rowers, boosters and fans met to cheer on the competitors and watch the results come in.
Spectators watched the Regatta from a variety of other spots along the river.
“I went to Harvard Square to watch it and there were tents … set up,” Stoeth said. “It was really festive.”
Planning for the event was a gradual process, as staffers worked year-round to put together the list of rowers and organize sponsors, including Nautica, Dunkin’ Donuts, Audi and Virgin Atlantic.
Among the notable winners this weekend were the Princeton University men’s championship eights team, which beat favored Cambridge University by five seconds. The U.S. National Team took the women’s championship eights event.
Men’s world titlist Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand won the men’s championship singles event, finishing less than a second before second-place finisher Steve Tucker. The women’s championship singles winner was Olympic bronze medalist Michelle Guerette, who won her event by almost 13 seconds.
The men and women from Trinity College finished first in both collegiate eight-person events.
About 200,000 spectators attended the Regatta over the two days, according to the Associated Press.
School of Education freshman Abby Cohn said she was pleased with the event’s turnout.
“It definitely played out to my expectations,” she said. “There were a lot of people there.”
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