The 177th Durham Regatta took place on the weekend of the 12th and 13th June 2010 with over 600 crews competing over the weekend. Durham University regained title for the Blue Riband event Grand Challenge Cup for Elite Coxed Fours in an all Durham final where Durham University – Ford beat Durham University – Dawes by 1 and ½ lengths in a time of 6 minutes 0 seconds.
Winners in the other events came from around the country and even as far away as the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Mr Peter Bartley of Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors presented the prizes to each of the competitors at the prizegiving ceremony in Durham’s Town Hall.
Councillor Mac Williams, Chairman of Durham County Council presented the prizes for the Corporation Challenge Cup for Intermediate 2 Coxed fours. The final of which was a home match where Durham School narrowly beat Durham Amateur Rowing Club over the full 1800 metre course.
Northumbria University took the honours in the Novice Fours event for the Mayors Plate beating St. Johns College, Durham in the final. The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Durham Councillor Mamie Simmons watched on as Northumbria powered down the 700 metres stretch along the racecourse.
ASR Nereus from Amsterdam won in both the Intermediate 3 Eights on Saturday and the Intermediate 3 Fours on Sunday. The club members from the Netherlands treated the gathered crowds at the prizegiving ceremony to a rendition of their club song in dutch.
The Durham Regatta North of England Sculling Championship events were won by St Peters School from York, Yarm School and Cambois Amateur Rowing Club.
As ever the home clubs of Durham Amateur Rowing Club, Durham University Boat Club, Durham School Boat Club, the various University Colleges and St. Leonards School all put in strong performances. The inter-club rivalry was as fierce as ever and this was reflected in the roar from the crowds on the riverbanks as individual races went down the course.