Siemens’ Boat Race of the North: Annual rowing grudge race to take over Newcastle Quayside this weekend

It's less than 24 hours until two of the North East's top universities lock horns at the Boat Race of the North 2022.

Newcastle University Boat Club and Durham University Boat Club will battle it out on the River Tyne this Saturday, May 7.

The iconic grudge match runs under the Quayside's famous bridgers and is always a high tension affair.

Here's all you need to know before heading down to the water in Newcastle's city centre on Saturday.

What time is the Boat Race of the North?

Racing will commence at 10:15 am on Saturday, May 7.

NE1 have promised "boat race activities" from as early as 9 am, so those keen to soak up the atmosphere should go along early.

It is expected that the last race will take place at around 11:30 am.

Most years the order of races runs from least experienced to most experienced - starting with the Beginners Women and finishing with the Men's Senior 8.

How much does it cost to attend?

It's free to watch the Boat Race of the North.

Spectators simply need to head down to the Quayside to take in the event.

The best seat in the house is on the Gateshead Millenium Bridge, but if you position yourself anywhere along the Quayside or even on the Swing Bridge, you'll catch the action.

What is the course?

The Boat Race of the North starts at the Redheugh Bridge and finishes just in front of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The course is around 1500 metres long.

How big is the rivalry between Newcastle University and Durham University?

The rivalry between Newcastle University Boat Club and Durham University Boat Club is certainly a feisty one.

The two clubs have been battling it out at the Boat Race of the North ever since 1997 and there's been plenty of history over those years.

Durham won all of the first six races in the Men's Senior 8 competition, before the winning club switched every year for the next six.

Newcastle has won every edition of the race since 2015, so will be expecting to keep that form in 2022.

The Women's Senior 8 race has also been won by Newcastle every year since 2015.