Lakeland Rowing Club’s David Thomas has successfully completed the 50km Boston Rowing Marathon on Sunday.

He brought his single sculling boat over the finish line in a time of five hours and 29 minutes and also managed to raise an impressive £3,700 in sponsorship funds for Lakeland Rowing Club.

All the money raised will go towards changing room facilities for junior members of the club as it prepares to move to a new site on the Isthmus on Derwentwater.

The Boston Marathon was first held in 1946 and is widely regarded in rowing circles as the toughest rowing event in the British Rowing Calendar.

Commenting on his marathon row (the first time any Lakeland RC member had entered the event) David said: “It was a very long hard race, rowing all the way from the shadows of Lincoln Cathedral along the River Witham to end up at Boston Rowing Club. I also had to carry my boat over 100m to get around a lock at Bardney!”

James Cracknell, the double Olympic gold medallist, was also competing in a single scull and set a new course record of three hours and 35 minutes for his age group.

David added: “To row in this event was pretty special, but to wa-tch James Cracknell coming down the river towards me and overtake was something to remember.

“I cheered him on when he went past me and he managed a smile and a grunt. It was also great to meet him after the event, and talk about our respective experiences over the course, which he admitted was one of the hardest events he’d ever competed in.”

Cracknell also signed some Lakeland RC club T-shirts which the club will auction to raise funds.

Thomas added: “The last 10k was the best part of the row, when I knew the finish was close, and I was able to pick up the pace a bit. As I approached the finish line at Boston Rowing Club I could hear the crowd shouting out “come on Lakeland” – it was a proud moment.

“I have to say huge thanks to everyone who sponsored me for the event and for all the kind and often witty words of support.

“To have raised over £3,700 towards the club’s new site is going to be a great boost for all our talented and enthusiastic junior members all of whom come from Keswick and Cockermouth Schools.”

If anyone would like to donate to the club’s fund go to their Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-thomas-appeal-on-behalf-of-lakeland-rowing-club-derwentwater-keswick-cumbria