Ruth Walczak sets a new course record

Photo: JET Photographic

Emily Craig, Ruth Walczak, Charlotte Taylor, Imogen Walsh

Ruth Walczak set a new course record in the lightweight women’s quad event in the Fuller’s Fours Head of the river race, held on the River Thames in London on Saturday (1 November).

Ruth, who learnt to row at Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, was racing in a composite lightweight quad with Emily Craig of University of London BC, Imogen Wash of London RC and Charlotte Taylor of Putney Town BC.

The crew of experienced internationals passed the famous landmarks of Hammersmith Bridge, the Boat Race University mile post and Fulham FC Craven Cottage to row the 7km course in a new record time of 19:51.4.

Ruth said: “Looking at the times afterwards, we weren’t in the lead at Hammersmith Bridge, which is just over halfway, but we were really tough and strong through the second part of the race and held our form to push into the lead and post a fantastic time.”

Ruth’s next race will be the Great Britain Rowing Team Trials on the 21 December in Boston, Lincolnshire.