The British Rowing Indoor Championships returns Birmingham for the second year in a row. BRIC is back at FitFest and nearly 1800 competitors will be racing throughout an action-packed day.
BRIC 2024 is set to build on the momentum of last year’s success, once again taking its place within the dynamic world of competitive fitness. This year’s FitFest will welcome an impressive crowd of 15,000 fitness enthusiasts and feature five marquee competitions, including the England Weightlifting Championships and obstacle course racing. Athletes competing in BRIC 2024 will also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of other events free of charge.
Spanning 178 categories, the competition will celebrate the incredible range of talent in the indoor rowing community. Participants will include a diverse lineup, from an inspiring 11-year-old to an extraordinary 87-year-old from the Cool Rowings indoor rowing club.
This year is also historic for adaptive rowing, with BRIC 2024 hosting its largest-ever field of athletes. The Invictus Games Team, which brought 22 competitors in 2023, will return in 2024 with an impressive contingent of 60 athletes ready to make their mark.
Open Men 2000m
This event category has grown substantially since last year, increasing from 38 to 66 competitors. The entry list for this year’s event includes 14 members of the GB Rowing Team, with standout names Matt Haywood and Callum Dixon leading the pack. Both scullers were part of the men’s quad that secured a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games.
Joining them is Will Stewart from the spare pair, along with several athletes who have been training at Leander or studying in the United States as part of the ‘Project LA 2028’ initiative. This group features Cedol Dafydd, Miles Beeson, Tobias Schröder, and Dan Graham, many of whom are aiming for the Olympic Games in less than four years.
Gabriel Obholzer is also set to compete; he holds the British 17-18 record for 2000m on the Concept2 RowErg, achieved in 2021.
Although the top two athletes from 2023 are absent, bronze medallist Luke Marston returns, representing the Royal Air Force. Marston, who posted a time of 6:19.7 last year, will aim to improve on his performance and challenge members of the GB Rowing Team, who are expected to comfortably dip below the six-minute mark.
Fourth-place finisher William Lamb is also back, targeting the sub-6:20 barrier after narrowly missing it last year.
The armed forces will once again have a strong presence at BRIC. The Army Indoor Rowing Team, winners of last year’s Open 4km relay, will compete in the Open 2000m event alongside Sub7 IRC, who finished third in the relay. Brody Hannan and Daniel Biggs will represent the Army, while Jack Webber, who clocked 6:36.0 last year, races for Sub7.
Open Women 2000m
Out of the 32 entries in the senior category, 12 are from the GB Rowing Team, including several athletes from the Paris squad. Among them are Lauren Henry and Georgie Brayshaw, Olympic champions in the quad, and Lauren Irwin, a bronze medallist in the eight. With their stellar performances over the summer, these high-profile athletes are strong contenders for victory. However, the other GB team members, many from the Project LA group, are poised to provide stiff competition.
Jenny Bates and Freya Keto, who had a remarkable season racing in their double, are also in the mix. They secured victories at the Henley Women’s Regatta championship double and reached the finals of The Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta. They made their GB senior debuts at the Holland Beker regatta, advancing to the A-final. After finishing second and third at the November GB trials (behind Lauren Henry), their impressive strength and consistency make them serious challengers to the Olympians.
Several athletes with U23 achievements are also expected to make their mark. Vwaire Obukohwo, a product of the GB Start programme at Twickenham Rowing Club, boasts multiple U23 medals in the women’s double. Known for producing powerhouse rowers, the Start programme’s influence suggests Vwaire could secure a podium finish this weekend. Amelia Standing, who was part of the gold medal-winning coxless four at the 2021 U23 World Rowing Championships, has consistently delivered strong performances at GB trials and Henley Royal Regatta, often alongside her pairs partner Juliette Perry, who is also competing this weekend.
While the podium is likely to be dominated by GB Rowing Team athletes, club-level competitors are expected to deliver excellent times and pursue personal bests in the electrifying atmosphere of the event.
City of Oxford Rowing Club has a strong presence on the start list, including Pippa Biggs, who reached the quarterfinals of the aspirational single at Henley Women’s Regatta this summer while representing Martlet Boat Club. Jessica Shepherd of Reading Rowing Club also competed in this highly competitive category, narrowly missing out on advancing past the time trial. Their experience in single sculls, requiring both physical and mental toughness, should serve them well on the ergometer.
Hannah Stocks, representing the Army Indoor Rowing Team, is the only competitor returning from last year’s BRIC. Her previous experience will likely bolster her confidence and aid in improving her performance this weekend.
Open 500m
In the absence of Phil Clapp, last year’s champion. This is set to be an enthralling contest. Second, third, and fourth from last year’s 500m are all back to have another crack and claim the title in Clapp’s absence. Thomas Wilson of MAD Team IRC is best placed to take gold, beating Chris Scott by 1.8s 12 months ago. While Loïc Schalbetter was a further 2.6s off the pace of Scott, a quick start in this event could work wonders for any of the competitors.
Open Women 500m
Just 14 entries in this field and like the Open event, last year’s winner won’t be defending her crown. In the absence of Kirstie Geary, Daisy Gregory would be favourite for gold after winning a silver medal in last year’s event, 0.9s ahead of the bronze medallist.