The Chester Raft Race is an annual charity event taking place every July on the River Dee in Chester, organised by Chester Round Table
The rafts race against the clock over a quarter mile (400 m) course, starting by the rowing club, and passing under pedestrian suspension bridge. Until 2013 it continued down the weir and finished on the south bank above the road bridge. Although the race is over at this point, the remnants of the rafts and crew then had to retrace their route back up the weir and return to the site assembly/parking area (The Meadows).
No races were held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2014 event The 2014 event was held on 6 July and featured a display of flyboarding by Jay St John. Forty rafts took part, and the winner with the fastest time of 9m 20s was Cheshire Waste and Skip Hire with In The Navy. Winner of the theme prize was Marshall Air Services with a complete floating jet-fighter tribute to Top Gun. The best pub entry was by Old Harkers Arms with a Yellow Submarine tribute to the Beatles. Best ladies raft was I Am Sailing, entered by The Druids Inn. The best school entry was Queens Lower School with The Queen of Hearts.
The main sponsor of the event was Survitec Group, a global specialist in marine safety equipment. In 2014 a new finish line was introduced at a point above the weir; this eliminated a risky descent of the weir. The Rotary Club of Chester donated proceeds from the race to Cheshire Young Carers and other local causes.
Covid Postponements The event was postponed in 2020 & 2021 due to the restriction imposed on large gatherings during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Plans were put in place for the 2022 Chester Raft Race at this time the organisation of the event would transfer to Chester Grosvenor 76 Round Table.
Chester Raft Race 2022 Onwards After 2 years of a Covid enforced hiatus the 2022 Event was announced for Sunday July 3, 2022 with the event receiving a new rebranded logo. The theme for the event was also confirmed as "100 Years of British Television" and the event Charity was announced with profits from the event going to the Countess of Chester Hospital - Blue Skies Balcony Appeal.
A brand new Event sponsor was announced as Salt Town Contractors
As of the 23rd of May 20 Rafts were signed up for the event with many returning entrants from previous years, as well as some new entries for Chester Raft Race 2022.
The 2022 Chester Raft Race, a beloved annual event held on the River Dee in Chester, England, marked its return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by the Grosvenor Round Table, the race embraced a theme of "100 Years of British Television," inviting participants to adorn their rafts with creative tributes to iconic TV shows.
On the picturesque River Dee, spectators witnessed 23 rafts navigating the waters, each showcasing imaginative designs inspired by beloved British television programs. From Little Britain and Father Ted to Only Fools and Horses, the rafts paid homage to decades of TV entertainment, delighting onlookers with their ingenuity and humor.
Among the highlights of the event were the awards ceremony, where rafts were recognized for their creativity and speed. The coveted "Best Themed Raft" and "Fastest Hostelry" award went to Harker's Arms for their Magic Roundabout-themed raft, showcasing a perfect blend of nostalgia and speed.
Other notable winners included BOST Musicals, who claimed the title of "Fastest Ladies' Raft," and the team from the Crocky Trail, who secured the top spot for "Fastest Raft Overall." These victories celebrated both skillful navigation and spirited participation, embodying the community spirit of the Chester Raft Race.
Overall, the 2022 Chester Raft Race was a resounding success, bringing together participants and spectators to celebrate the spirit of camaraderie, creativity, and nostalgia. With its triumphant return, the event reaffirmed its status as a cherished tradition in the vibrant city of Chester, promising many more years of thrilling races and fond memories on the River Dee.https://chesterraftrace.org.uk/2022-45th-chester-raft-race-revisited/
The event categories in the context of the Chester Raft Race typically refer to different aspects or criteria by which rafts are judged or awarded during the competition. In the 2023 the organisers updated the rules with a greater emphasis on speed and theme.
Overall Winner
Ladies Only
Fastest Hostelry
Fastest Innovation
Greenest Raft
Titanic Ultimate Sinkers Award
These event categories provide a diverse range of opportunities for participants to showcase their skills, creativity, and competitive spirit, contributing to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere of the Chester Raft Race.
For the 2024 event after feedback from our rafters, Chester Raft Race has included a fastest raft category.
Overall Winner: Awarded to the raft that combines speed and theme creativity most effectively.
Fastest Raft: Recognizes the quickest raft regardless of theme, emphasizing speed and efficiency.
Ladies Only: Celebrates the fastest team composed exclusively of women, promoting inclusivity and recognition.
Fastest Hostelry: Acknowledges the fastest raft representing a pub, restaurant, or hotel, highlighting speed and local hospitality spirit.
Fastest Innovation: Honors the fastest raft utilizing non-traditional propulsion methods, showcasing ingenuity and creativity.
Greenest Raft: Recognizes the most eco-friendly raft construction, promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Titanic Ultimate Sinkers Award: Humorously celebrates the fastest sinking raft, adding a lighthearted element to the event.
+ Chester Raft Race Overall Winners Year Raft Team Runners-Up 2023 Thunderbirds 2 Pigeons of Madagascar 2022 Crocky Wok Crocky Trail 2020 and 2021 Races cancelled due to COVID-19 2019 Crocky Wok Crocky Trail 2018 Crocky Wok Crocky Trail 2017 Crocky Wok Crocky Trail 2016 Traitor Chester Auto Services 2015 No Name Known Survitec Group 2014 In the Navy Cheshire Waste and Skip Hire 2013 Gloriana Stanton Pyroplast 2012 Contraflow Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2011 Contraflow Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2010 Dee Day Commandos The Greyhound, Farndon 2009 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2008 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2007 Cancelled - Floods 2006 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2005 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2004 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2003 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2002 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 2001 Cancelled - Foot & Mouth 2000 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 1999 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 1998 Wet Dream Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue 1997 Shy Talk Shell UK, Stanlow 1996 Shy Talk Shell UK, Stanlow 1995 Shy Talk Shell UK, Stanlow 1994 Panache Jiffy Packaging 1993 Panache Jiffy Packaging 1992 Panache Jiffy Packaging 1991 Panache Jiffy Packaging 1990 Stig Shell UK Oil
+ Ladies Only Raft Race Winners Year Team Raft Runners-up 2023 BOST Musicals BOST 2 Share Bears 2022 BOST Musicals BOST 2 Valley Lodge Nursing Home
+ Best Themed Rafts Year Theme Winner Runner-up 2023 Toybox TBC TBC 2023 Superheroes Thunderbirds 2 & Pigeons of Madagascar & Old Harkers Arms 2022 100 Years of British Television Magic Roundabout Old Harkers Arms 2020 and 2021 Races cancelled due to COVID-19 2019 Transport through the Ages The Duke 4C Access
References
External links www.chesterraftrace.org.uk