Universities hold first boat race

Students are already in training for the inaugural race in May

Three universities are set to take part in an inaugural boat race on the River Medway in May.

Rowers from the shared Medway campus of Canterbury Christ Church, Greenwich and Kent universities will tackle a three-mile course.

The Universities at Medway Students' Association has organised the race from Halling to Rochester Pier on 26 May.

Co-ordinator Sophie Bruschan said it would be a tough challenge "as few of our students have rowed before".

'Race tradition'

But she added: "The fact they're all novices makes it even more exciting."

She said it was hoped the event would be the start of a "proper boat race tradition" in Medway.

This year, there will be a men's race featuring Medway students of the universities of Greenwich and Kent, followed by a women's race with rowers from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church based in Medway.

Other teams can still be entered for the event.

The three universities and Mid-Kent College share a campus at Chatham Maritime in Medway.