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A head race for eights and fours on the "bumps" courseNext Race Saturday 6 June 2026 - Divisions 12.30 pm and 2pm
Important links and information:
Important links and information:
Entry form 2026 - The race will be held on the second Saturday before May Bumps (entries open until race day) - Saturday 6 June 2026
Update 4 June 2026:
The link to the provisional draw, and results when availbale, is here: Draw & Results 2026. Contact us (xpresshead@xpressbc.org.uk) if you would like to change your position on the draw, so that crews set off in approximate speed order. Entries are still open for late entries.
Collect numbers from Old CRA boathouse from 11am on race day. At the end of racing you will need to drop number boards back at Old CRA.
Winners of categories with two or more entrants can collect prizes from Old CRA from about 3pm (depending on timing of the race). There is a choice of glass pots or engraved medals for winners, and a champagne prize for the winner of the John Dent Trophy for the fastest club.
Other competitor information, including marshalling and safety instructions is shown here: Competitor information.
We proudly host the annual X-Press Head Race, a highly anticipated event in the Cambridge rowing calendar! Held one week before the CUCBC May Bumps, our head race gives crews a valuable last opportunity to race over the full bumps course:
2,100 meters from upstream of A14 (chain three) to the Pike & Eel.
Medals for category winners and best line around Grassy Corner.
Champagne prize for the winners of the John Dent Trophy.
College, Town, Masters and Junior categories (College and Town split by bumps divisions).
Crews have the option to make a standing start from around the A14 bridge, with the start line and timing starting from chain three.
Entry fee £88 for eights; £44 for fours and quads.
Contact us for enquiries: xpresshead@xpressbc.org.uk
John Dent Trophy
John Dent Trophy
A club which enters at least one Men’s and one Women’s crew will be eligible to compete for the John Dent Trophy, awarded to the club with the best two-boat combined time.
Previous winners:
2018 Caius
2019 Caius
2021 Lady Margaret
2022 Wolfson
2023 Peterhouse
2024 Peterhouse
2025 Caius
Full results for 2025 here.
Best line around Grassy Corner
Best line around Grassy Corner
This year the prize is awarded to Lady Margaret W1, with very close seconds from FAT M1, Emma W1 and Pembroke W2. The judge had this to say about the winning crew:
"I've been scoring entry, apexes and exit, and the winning crew scored 15/15. So many coxes were obsessed with the apex and then mess up either the entry or exit or both. It's amazing! The line taken by LMBC W1 was incredibly smooth. Many coxes were just slamming the rudder on, especially for the exit of the corner."
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