{{Short description|Annual rowing regatta in Reading, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} [[File:The River Thames, Reading - geograph.org.uk - 790082.jpg|thumb|The River Thames at Thames Valley Park]] '''Reading Town Regatta''' is an annual rowing regatta that takes place at the town of Reading in Berkshire on the River Thames in southern England.<ref name="henley-standard1">{{cite news| url=https://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/rowing/141371/vikings-conquer-at-reading-town-regatta.html | title=Vikings conquer at Reading Town Regatta | newspaper=Henley Standard | location=UK | date=8 July 2019 }}</ref><ref name="windsor-observer">{{cite news| url=https://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/sport/16345432.rowing-eton-excelsior-rowing-club-excels-success-reading-town-egham-regattas/ | title=Rowing: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club excels with success at Reading Town and Egham Regattas | first=Rob | last=Stevens | newspaper=The Royal Borough Observer | location=UK | date=10 July 2018 }}</ref> It is held near the Thames Valley Park business park on the south side of the river. A more local Thames Valley Park Regatta takes place at the same location. The course length for '''Reading Town Regatta''' is 800m<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reading Town Regatta & Thames Valley Park Regatta |url=http://www.rtr-tvp.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=www.rtr-tvp.co.uk}}</ref> with the Thames Valley Park Regatta length being 500m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reading Town Regatta & Thames Valley Park Regatta |url=http://www.rtr-tvp.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=www.rtr-tvp.co.uk}}</ref>
The '''Reading Working Men’s Regatta''' was established in 1877.<ref name="history">{{cite web| url=http://www.rtr-tvp.co.uk/history.htm | title=History | website=www.rtr-tvp.co.uk | publisher=Reading Town Regatta & Thames Valley Park Regatta | location=UK }}</ref> It was promoted by the Mayor and Corporation of Reading, receiving Royal patronage in 1896. The present title of the event was adopted in 1966. The event is normally held in June each year.
The regatta can be a stepping-stone for rowing crews to the Henley Royal Regatta, held nearby at Henley-on-Thames each July.<ref name="oxford-mail">{{cite news| url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/16335000.rowing-oxford-brookes-tipped-show-class-henley/ | title=ROWING: Oxford Brookes tipped to show their class at Henley | newspaper=Oxford Mail | location=UK | date=5 July 2018 }}</ref> Some crew members go on to be selected to row at Great Britain national level.<ref name="henley-standard2">{{cite news| url=https://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/rowing/141383/henleys-successful-juniors-make-the-cut-for-gb-squad.html?cmpredirect | title=Henley's successful juniors make the cut for GB squad | newspaper=Henley Standard | location=UK | date=8 July 2019 }}</ref>
==See also== * Reading Amateur Regatta * Sonning Regatta, downstream from Reading Town Regatta * Henley Royal Regatta * Marlow Town Regatta
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.rtr-tvp.co.uk/Reading-Town-Regatta.htm Reading Town Regatta] * [http://www.rtr-tvp.co.uk/Thames-Valley-Park-Regatta.htm Thames Valley Park Regatta]
Category:1966 establishments in England Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1966 Category:Regattas on the River Thames Regatta Category:Rowing in Berkshire Category:June in sports
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