Fancy dress rowers race to get a Head start

A VERY Hungry Caterpillar, giant papier mache fish heads and robbers from the Louvre heist with the police in hot pursuit were some of the costumes spotted on the River Cam at the annual Cambridge Christmas Head rowing race.

- By CAIT FINDLAY

Rowers dressed up for the annual Christmas Head in Cambridge on Sunday

(JOHN WALLEY)

The fancy dress event saw nearly 1,000 competitors taking to the water on Sunday. Rowers dressed up as everything from Grinches to Santas and pirates to Snow White for the 1,800-metre race.

Organised by City of Cambridge Rowing Club, this year's race attracted entries across a range of boat categories from singles to eights. All ages were represented, from schoolchildren in their first race to masters crews in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

Lily Tailby, 12, from St. Mary's School, said on the bank ahead of her very first race in a single sculling boat that she was a little nervous but excited to take part.

"I just hope I don’t fall in, or come last," Lily said.