Last updated: 02/05/2010

Introduction

The Celtic Challenge is the World's Longest true rowing race where teams race from Arklow in County Wicklow, Ireland to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast, a distance of about 90 nautical miles. Celtic and Pembrokeshire longboats take part (and occasionally other similar boats also join in) – each boat is about 24 feet (8m) long and has 4 fixed seats and one cox. Each team doing the Celtic Challenge consists of 12 people who take it in turns to row, spending the time in between on a support boat. A small inflatable is generally used to transfer people between the support boat and the rowing boat. How often teams swap rowers and how people are utilised is all part of the tactics of the race.

The race is an extreme test of endurance and generally takes between 15 and 24 hours, depending on the weather. The race usually starts in the afternoon with all the teams rowing throughout the night and sometimes arriving in Aberystwyth very early in the morning! The race happens every 2 years and will next take place on the weekend of 30th April-3rd May, with the exact race window depending on weather.

Results

Click here for results of the 2010 event. Congratulations to all participants and we'll see you again in 2012!

Trophies

Click here for details of who won the various trophies for the 2010 event. Winners - when you've caught up on your sleep, please send a crew photo to Dai or Andy and we'll put a 2010 hall of fame together on this site.

Party

The post-race party will take place on Monday 3rd May in Aberystwyth Boat Club. There will be live music from Smoking Guns and food provided. The bar will be open from midday and the band start playing at 8.

Race updates

Position updates appeared here as the race went on. We'll leave them up for now as they may be of interest, particularly to some of the rowers.

Apologies for the lack of updates so far. We're having a few problems with communicating with the crews for positions. All the crews have started now.

1415 - Ladies and Mixed crews set off from Arklow

1600 - Mens crews set off from Arklow

1630 - All first wave crews (Ladies and Mixed) ave rounded the cardinal marker South of Arklow bank. All crews are within half a mile of each other in a tight race. Arklow & Aberystwyth ladies crews neck and neck. Arklow crew edging in front of Aberystwyth.

2015 - Lead crew is Aberstwyth Mixed crew. Still close at the front.

0300 - Still nothing on the sat phone, but the Aberystywth Mixed crew are in mobile range. Next update is direct from them. Only have positions of 2 crews: Position update as at 0300

0310 - Mikatcha reports that Aberdyfi are the leading crew at 20 miles to go travelling at 5 knots. Might be in by 7am

Borth crew are currently the only retired crew - due to RIB engine failure affecting crew changing

Last boat is 12 miles astern of the leading crews

0430 - The lead crew is currently Aberdyfi men who are 12 miles from Aberystwyth. Estimated arrival time sometime between 6.20 and 6.30am.

0600 - Aberdyfi crew now 3 miles from the finish. Arrival expected very imminently.

0644 - Aberdyfi cross the finish line as the winners of the 2010 Celtic Challenge. Well done Aberdyfi.

Unconfirmed time for Aberdyfi is 14 hours, 47 minutes and 50 seconds.

0725 - Close race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Arklow men currently in second place, Aberystwyth's men and mixed crews fighting it out for 3rd. Neck and neck.

0800 - Arklow men finished. First Irish crew to finish.

0815 - Aberystwyth Men and Mixed crews approaching the harbour now. Mens crew fractionally in front. Group of 4 boats, Courtown, Porthmadog, Monmouth, Arklow ladies in front of Aberystwyth ladies.

0825 - Aberystywth Men cross the line in third place overall.

0830 - Aberystwyth Mixed cross the line in fourth overall, first mixed crew.

0835 - Next group contains Arklow ladies, Porthmadog, Courtown, Tenby. Neck and neck between Arklow ladies and Porthmadog - literally metres between them.

0900 - Arklow ladies finish as first ladies crew, immediately followed by Porthmadog mixed.

0910 - Courtown mixed crew finish just in front of Tenby mixed crew.

0930 - Unofficial times:

Aberdyfi Men 14h 47m 50s

Arklow Men 15h 54m 10s

Aberystwyth Men 16h 24m 10s

Aberystwyth Mixed 18h 14m 9s

Monmouth Men 16h 32m 10s

Arklow ladies 18h 48m 35s

Porthmadog mixed 18h 49m 40s

Courtown mixed 18h 56m 55s

Tenby mixed 18h 57m 25s

1000 - Aberystwyth ladies crew cross the finish at 0958. Second ladies crew.

Contact Us

Tel: 01970 615308
Mob: 07900 953226
E-mail: celtic-challenge10@tiscali.co.uk

Postal address:
Celtic Challenge 2010
20 Rhoshendre
Waunfawr
Aberystwyth
SY23 3PT