British IRC Hall Of Fame
Geoff’s early sporting career was in amateur Rugby League, until turning to running in 1973. He completed eight marathons and numerous other road, cross country and fell races until the onset of knackered knees. This prompted his initial trial of Indoor Rowing in 1992 in order to keep fit until the knees recovered (he’s still waiting!). As well as his BIRC successes Geoff has won medals at the English and European IRCs and also Gold at the World IRC in 2005 with a World Record of 7:13.4 which still stands. Year Inducted: 2008 |
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One of the fastest and most consistent competitors, Nik has competed and medaled in every BIRC since 2000, with only 3 people having beaten him in Birmingham in that time. He has also excelled at the World IRC having competed six times and come away with a Bronze, two Silver and three Gold medals, including the 2008 title in a time of 5:53.4 and the memorable 2002 3-way tie for Gold with fellow GB competirors Tony Larkman and Chris Rushton (5:57.6). Year Inducted: 2008 |
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Since Anna emerged on the scene in 2000, she's proved head and shoulders above anybody else domestically, impressively winning the 50-54 Hwt category in every single year she was eligible for it. In 2006 she set the current championship record of 7:28.0 in the 55-59 Hwt category. And In February 2008 she broke the British record at the CRASH-Bs in Boston in a time of 7:24.9, this would also have been new World record had she not been pipped at the post by the American Susan Hooten. Year Inducted: 2006 |
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As you can tell from Graham's times, he's been getting steadily better and better. What is perhaps most remarkable is that he came to rowing late from a gym background and, due to his phenomenal erg results, which includes a World IRC Men's Open title as well, has since entered Great Britain’s talent identification programme. Year Inducted: 2006 |
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The only woman to win an Open event at the championship four times, Cath also has the 1999 World IRC to her credit. Her final British victory in 1999 saw her beat Katherine Grainger into second place, with whom she later took silver in the coxless pair at the Athens Olympics. Cath is the current British Women's 19-29 Hwt record holder. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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The very definition of a doughty competitor, Arnold has been winning at the British IRC from the beginning, with 16 years separating his first and, what we doubt will turn out to be, his last. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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A winner at the first three championships, Annamarie was untouchable at the old 2,500m distance, holding not only the world record, but also winning the 1992, 1993 and 1994 World IRC as well. She still holds the British record for the distance. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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Although Noel's indoor racing career only spanned five years, in that time he took the Men's 60+ Hwt category on by a hop, step and a jump. His British record of 6:31.4 set in 1999 was a full 7.2 seconds quicker than anybody else had gone at that point and it took until 2004 for the USA's Paul Hendershott to break Noel's time of 6:31.4 on a world level. Noel retired from racing in 2000, shortly after winning his second world title, and established the Millennium Cup, awarded every British IRC to the veteran rower whose time is the best when compared to the world record. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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The oldest man to ever compete at the British IRC, John Hodgson is a remarkable character, winning the last of his British titles at the age of 96. These medals, and his 90-94 and 95-99 Lwt world records, only serve to cap a lifetime of sport and athletics. "I've always considered myself to be one of the lucky ones, because I've always been fit and well all my life. I remember as a teenager when I did cross-country and cycling I used to think that if this is how it feels when you're fit it's well worth it. That's been in my subconcious mind ever since, so I've trained more or less all my life." Year Inducted: 2006 |
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Second only to Andy Ripley and Arnold Cooke in terms of titles won, Bert Leah has possibly the biggest medal haul in indoor rowing history, with three golds and a bronze in the World IRC to add to his nine British victories. Having moved up into the 75-79 Lwt category for the first time last year - and winning it by nearly 10 seconds, there's a good chance he'll be adding considerably to his horde. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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For five years in the mid to late 90s Sean dominated the 50+ Lwt division, proving untouchable over the distance five times at the British IRC and twice at the World IRC. A former University Boat Race winner for Oxford in 1963 and 1965 Sean was an outstanding oarsman of his time, before international lightweight rowing was established. He is now prolific on the international Masters rowing circuit. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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Although he's only won two titles, along with a silver behind Steve Redgrave in 1991, Matthew would warrant his place for his victory in 2001 alone, when he came from behind to pip James Cracknell on the line by 0.1 seconds, the smallest ever margin of victory in an Open final. As well as his British IRC titles, he's also won the small matter of four Olympics and a record 11 World Championships. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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One of the dominant forces in veteran indoor rowing over the past decade, Pauline has won more British IRC titles than any woman except Anna Bailey. Her time of 7:52.7 is the current British record. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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Britain's most successful Olympian, winner of an incredible five golds (and one little remembered bronze) and arguably Britain's greatest sportsman of all-time. Won the first ever British IRC, beating fellow hall-of-famer Matthew Pinsent in the process. His place is also guaranteed by the fact that, not only he is one of only two Brits ever to win the Men's Open Hwt title at the World IRC, but he is the current President of the British IRC. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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A former England and British Lion star, Andy was introduced to the machine by fellow rugby union legend Roger Uttley and has never looked back since. A winner of an amazing 10 British IRC golds, his time of 6:07.7 in winning the 1998 World IRC is still a British and World record. Year Inducted: 2004 |
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As well as winning the British IRC three times, Matthias also holds the open record for the old race distance of 2,500m (7:10.7). And for 17 years he was the fastest man ever on the Indoor Rower with a time 5:37.0 set back in 1991 (New Zealand's Rob Waddell rowed 5:36.6 earlier this year). He was also world indoor rowing champion a remarkable seven times. Year Inducted: 2006 |
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Please note: the race distance changed from 2,500m to 2,000m in 1995.
