Chester
Raft Race
Enter the 1/4 mile race on your homemade raft from the Chester Meadows to the Groves. Launch from the meadows ensuring your raft floats and then make your way under the suspension bridge and past the roaring crowd on the bandstand stopping at the recorder steps above the weir.
Thank you to our Event Sponsors
About
The 46th Annual Chester Raft Race
The Chester Raft Race is an annual charity event taking place every July in the Groves on the River Dee. The rafts race against the clock over an approximate 400 metre course starting just upriver of the Royal Chester Rowing Club, passing under the pedestrian Suspension Bridge to a finish on the north bank of the river by Recorder’s Steps to the Walls and just above the weir. Although the race is over at this point, the rafts then have to retrace their route back to the launch area on the Meadows.
July 2nd 2023
10am start
Chester Meadows
Something For Everyone!
Calling all superheroes! Are you ready for the ultimate team building challenge? Look no further than the annual Chester Raft Race! Join us on July 2nd at 10am at Chester Meadows for a day of excitement and adventure. Assemble your team and put your raft-building skills to the test, all while dressed up as your favorite caped crusaders.
This year’s theme is Superheroes, so let your imaginations run wild as you design and decorate your rafts to match the theme. Will you choose to emulate the Man of Steel and build a raft with impressive speed and strength, or channel your inner Dark Knight and construct a stealthy and strategic vessel? But the fun doesn’t stop there!
The Chester Raft Race is the perfect opportunity for team building and bonding. Work together to navigate the river’s twists and turns, overcome obstacles, and outwit your opponents. You’ll need to communicate effectively and rely on each other’s strengths to come out on top. And let’s not forget the ultimate reward – bragging rights as the champions of the Chester Raft Race! Previous winners have included the likes of Crocky Trail, Chester Auto Services, and Sandbach Cave & Mountain Rescue.
Will your team be next in line for glory? So grab your superhero squad and get ready to save the day – and your team’s bond – at the Chester Raft Race. It’s sure to be a super-powered experience you won’t forget!
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Highlights from Past Races and Events
The 45th annual Chester Raft Race finally took place after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, and it was definitely worth the wait! The event was sponsored by Salt Town Contractors and managed by the Chester Grosvenor Round Table, who took over from the previous long-term organisers, the Rotary Club.
The 2022 Chester Raft Race was dedicated to the memory of Jay St John, a fly boarder who regularly entertained at the Raft Race, sadly he passed away in the week before the event.
The event saw 23 rafts take to the River Dee, all with a theme of “100 Years of British Television,” featuring rafts based on iconic TV shows such as Little Britain, Father Ted, and Only Fools and Horses.
The prize-giving ceremony was held on the Meadows and the Harker’s Arms Magic Roundabout-themed raft took home the award for Best Themed Raft/Fastest Hostelry. The fastest raft overall was the team from the Crocky Trail, with Chester Auto Services taking home the runners-up award. The fastest ladies raft was the BOST musical raft Princess Fiona raft and with Valley Lodge Nursing home taking second place. It was great to see the atmosphere return to the city, and we hope to see the event return next year with even more rafts and excitement!
Resources
Resources for Entrants
Enter a Raft
Do you think you and your team has what it takes to build the fastest raft in Chester? Put together your crew and a build a Super raft.
Sign up online, check out the rules or just find out more about the event.
Donate
The Chester Raft Race is a charity event that has raised £500,000 for local charities in our lifetime. This years event Charity will be SHARE.
SHARE’S aims are simple – they support families in crisis and people who are homeless in North Wales and Cheshire and assist refugees fleeing for their lives, wherever they are in the world.
Find out more about our charity for this years event.
Sponsor
The raft race is visited by an average of 4,000 foot traffic and has a reach of 100K+ across social media. Get involved. Our sponsors not only help us run the event, they help fund our event charity!
Find out more about our Superhero Sponsors!
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News & Updates
2023 Event Announcement
We're excited to announce that the 2023 Chester Raft Race is coming up on July 2nd, sponsored by Salt Town Contractors Ltd! This fun-filled event is a must-attend for anyone who loves adventure and friendly competition. Not only will you get to test your skills on the...
2022 – 45th Chester Raft Race Revisited
The 45th annual Chester Raft Race, sponsored by Salt Town Contractors, was held on the River Dee on July 3, 2022. The event, organised by Chester Round Table, saw teams of all ages and abilities race homemade rafts along a 2.5 mile course, all in support of the event...
Blue Skies Donation
The last Chester Raft Race was a huge success, not only for the competitors and spectators, but also for a local charity, the Blue Skies Appeal. The Chester Round Table organized the event, which saw dozens of teams compete in various categories along the River Dee....
Sponsors
Thank You To Our Partners
The winners of the Chester Raft Race 2022 were the team from the Crocky Trail, with their raft named the Crocky Woky. They were awarded the title of the fastest raft overall, leaving behind tough competition from other participants. The team’s efforts paid off as they emerged victorious, and their achievement was celebrated by the event organizers and spectators. Well done to the Crocky Trail team for their impressive win!
Crocky Trail, Chester Raft Race – 1st Place
Register to Race!
Don’t forget to Register your Raft Online!