The Siemens Boat Race of the North

Oars at the ready… The Siemens Boat Race of the North returns to the banks of the Tyne this Saturday 17th March.

Save the date for this Quayside clash between Newcastle University Boat Club and Durham University Boat Club. Can Newcastle defend their title this year?

The two rowing teams will go head-to-head in this annual sporting event, relaunched by Team NE1 in 2015. Bringing two giants of university rowing together, the competitors will race through the heart of the city's Quayside, in the hope of being crowned ‘Champions of the North’!

The contest is a 1,500 metre rowing race from the Redheugh to the Millennium Bridge, with thousands of excited spectators lining the banks of the Tyne to cheer the winning team over the line.

Six teams from each university will battle it out during this Saturday sporting spectacular – with local boat clubs from both Newcastle and Durham also invited to join in the afternoon of racing fun.

Round up your pals, make for the Quayside and see this spectacular sporting event unravel on the Tyne. It’s the biggest boat race in NE1 – and we expect it to be more exiting and nail-biting than ever before!

Make sure you swing by the newly opened Thomas Cook Airlines Quayside Seaside where a team from Newcastle University will be hosting sporting activities and a tasty BBQ for all involved! It doesn’t get much better than that. It's time to cheer on your team in NE1...let the race begin!

Snap away as the race takes place on the Quayside this year. Tweet us your updates at: @NewcastleNE1, tag us in your Insta pics at: @NewcastleNE1 and look out for Facebook updates at: @GetIntoNewcastle.