The British Rowing Indoor Championships return for the first time since 2019 following a series of virtual competitions during the global pandemic.
1500 competitors will descend on the NEC in Birmingham this weekend to compete across 150 categories, more than double the number of athletes who raced the 2021 virtual indoor rowing championships.
For the first time ever, BRIC heads north, away from London, and will take place at FitFest 2023, alongside the ATHX™ Fitness Champs, SiD Triple Threat, & English Weightlifting Championships.
Eyes will immediately be drawn to the Male Open 500m where Phil Clapp and Chris Scott will be going head to head. Clapp, who won the 500m event at the 2020, ’21, ’22, and ’23 World Rowing Indoor Championships will be the favourite for the event but Scott, the former discus thrower who reached the final of the Commonwealth Games will give him a serious run for his money along with 24 others athletes.
The Women's 500m features an international lineup. Leanne Xuereb Ungaro travels from Malta having raced earlier in the year at the European Indoor Rowing Championships. She races 16 others in the category. A pair of World Championship silver medallists will also be racing the 500m. Sally Lancaster and Andrea Dixon compete in the Women's 40-44 event while Andrea Dixon races the Lightweight Women's 55-99 category.
The always thrilling 2000m racing will take place throughout the day and each category will be packed with talent. Former Great Britain rower Debbie Bruwer (née Flood) is going for the Masters 40-45 Female event while former World and British Champion, Graham Benton will be targeting the Masters 50-54 event.
The field of 35 in the Open 2000m features several members of the armed forces. The Army Indoor Rowing Team is bringing a 23 strong team including 6 relay teams.
In the Women’s 2000m event, Katie Mole from the University of Birmingham will be racing on home ground. The student recently won the University Indoor Rowing Series, posting a time of 6:49.6.
BRIC has always welcomed athletes from a wide range of sports and this year is no different. England Rugby World Cup Winner Will Greenwood will be racing in the 500m event in the 50-54 category. Greenwood will also be racing the relays later on in a team called ‘The Old Guard’.
Greenwood’s daughter Matilda has also taken the rowing world by storm breaking records across the adaptive categories.
The adaptive events are one of the pillars of BRIC. Invictus Games athletes from this year are racing in force with 33 entries, including the Ukrainian Invictus Team. Great Britain will be represented by the likes of Stacey Denyer and GB Paralympic pathway athlete Ben Gallagher.
As part of the tantalising entry lists, the largest field comes in the Year 9 Girls 4mins. 81 athletes will contest this category as part of a huge contingent of juniors racing BRIC this year. The Grange School brings the biggest school entry with 123 individual entries and 23 relay teams competing throughout the day.
In the older categories, Colin Lloyd will be racing in the Masters 80-84 category. At nearly 82 years old, he has been rowing for Bridgnorth Rowing Club for 70 years and is registered blind. The oldest competitor will be Howard Cole in the Masters 85-89 2000m at 86 years old.
Results from BRIC 2023 will be posted here.
What is FitFest 2023?
5,000+ fitness enthusiasts are expected to be in attendance at FitFest 2023, where multiple fitness events will run over the three days including:
The British Rowing Indoor Championships
ATHX Games – the Ultimate Functional Fitness Experience
SiD Triple Threat – an Open CrossFit competition for all levels of athlete
The England Weightlifting Championships
How can I watch?
Spectators are welcome (and encouraged!) at FitFest 2023 – you’ll be able to purchase tickets on the FitFest website.
Discounted Concept2 Machines to purchase at BRIC
As part of the 2023 event, our partner Concept2 will be selling racing machines at a discounted rate for people to take away after racing on the day.
The offer includes £100 off the RRP price and also another 5% discount if you buy 5 or more as bulk buy. To reserve a machine or to ask more information email Concept2 directly at info@concept2.co.uk.
Row virtually with EXR on Sunday, 10 December
Join Inside Indoor and our partner EXR for a free online indoor rowing session along the Henley-on-Thames river stretch on 10 December at 13:00!
This will be a participation event helping anyone to participate and feel part of the British Rowing Indoor Championship weekend.
During the 90-minute group indoor rowing session, you get to row at your own pace and enjoy the company of rowers from all over the world.
This event will provide the ability for indoor rowers using different indoor rowing machines to row together including users of Concept2, WaterRower, First Degree Fitness (FluidRower), Technogym (Skillrow), RP3, Bodycraft, Xebex, Virtufit, Flow Fitness, Still-fit and DC Athletic.