British Indoor Rowing Championships
The
British Indoor Rowing Championships (
BIRC) is an
indoor rowing event organised by
Concept2. It first began in 1991 with the first event held in
Henley-on-Thames attracting 200 competitiors. Over the years it outgrew all of its venues and has been held since 2000 at the
National Indoor Arena in
Birmingham. The 2005 championships had over 3,000 entrants and is currently the world 's biggest indoor rowing event and Britain's biggest mass-participation indoor sporting event.
The races are separated Men, Lightweight Men, Women, and Lightweight Women - with these further split into age categories. All competitiors over 16 race 2,000 m (the Olympic rowing distance) with shorter races for those between 12 and 16.
There is also a special race called
The Redgrave Team Challenge where teams of four race 4,000 m as a relay.
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BIRC Official Site
