THE River Mersey was transformed into a vibrant arena of colour, camaraderie, and intense competition on Sunday as Warrington Rowing Club hosted the annual St Rocco’s Hospice Dragon Boat Race.
Defying the unpredictable summer weather, 16 amateur teams took to the water, ultimately raising a record-breaking £30,000 to fund vital end-of-life care.
The day concluded with a thrilling, nail-biting finale that saw last year’s champions, Cadent Dragons, fiercely defend their title to be crowned the 2026 Dragon Boat Race Winners. They narrowly edged out The Cheshire Building Company, who claimed a commendable second place, while the Orford-based charity cyclists, The Biking Rowers, paddled across the line to secure third.
Hundreds of spectators lined the riverbanks to cheer on a diverse roster of local businesses and community groups. Each boat, consisting of up to 16 rowers and a single rhythmic drummer keeping pace, battled through three intensive qualifying heats on the water.
The Cadent team celebrates
On dry land, a bustling festival atmosphere took over the rowing club ground, complete with local food stalls, ice cream vendors, and a charity raffle that kept crowds fueled and entertained between races.
Beyond the corporate rivalries, the true focus remained on supporting St Rocco’s Hospice, which currently celebrates 40 years of providing essential care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Speaking after the trophy presentation, organisers expressed immense gratitude to the participants, the volunteers, and the local car parks that opened their spaces for visitors.
“St Rocco’s relies heavily on the generosity of the Warrington community,” noted the hospice’s events team. “Every single paddle stroke today helps ensure we can continue providing comfort and dignity to those who need it most”.
Click on the image for a gallery of photos by John Hopkins
