Head of the Charles Regatta
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The Head of the Charles Regatta, also known as HOCR or HOTC, is a rowing race held on the penultimate complete weekend of October each year on the Charles River, which separates Boston and Cambridge Massachusetts. It is the largest 2-day regatta in the world, with more than 8,000 athletes rowing in around 1750 boats in 56 events. It attracts about 300,000 spectators throughout Regatta weekend. The Head of the Charles Regatta is run by an office of 3 and approximately 1,500 volunteers.
The course is 3.2 miles long and stretches from the start at Boston University's DeWolfe Boathouse near the Charles River Basin to the finish just after the Eliot Bridge and before Northeastern University's Henderson Boathouse. The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events include current National Team athletes.
The competitive field includes individual and team competitors from colleges, high schools, and clubs from nearly all American states and various countries. The 2006 field included rowers from China, South Africa, Croatia, and the Netherlands, to name a few. The age of athletes spans from 14 to 85 years old with experience levels from novice to Olympic. In 2007, approximately 10% of the field was international.
[edit] Additional features
- Two-day music concert known as "Row-a-Palooza", located at the Weeks Footbridge on the Cambridge shore
- Reunion Village, a cluster of protected tents where various alumni associations and clubs hold gatherings
- Free pasta dinner for competitors
- Multiple food and clothing vendors
- Free giveaways along the river from sponsors including trips abroad, clothing, and samples
[edit] Gallery
 Spectators lining the bank of the Charles River in 2003 |
 And 2002 |
 A crew from Ireland racing in the Head of the Charles in 2003 |
 Kennedy School women's team outside the Weld Boathouse preparing to row the Head of the Charles in 1996, though that year the race was cancelled due to bad weather. |
