We'll be cheering (from afar) over the next month as Nottingham graduate Grace Church (Sport and Exercise Science, 2025) attempts to circumnavigate the coast of Great Britain by rowing boat!

She and her five crewmates in the 'Nautilus' will be taking part in the GB Row Challenge, the self-proclaimed “World’s Toughest Rowing Race", which begins on Sunday 14 June from Tower Bridge in London - she'll be attempting to break a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to do so.

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Grace Church (third left) and crewmates of the 'Nautilus', pictured ahead of the GB Row challenge.

The GB Row Challenge sees two crews attempting to row 2,000 miles non-stop and unsupported around the coastline of Great Britain, all the while carrying out valuable oceanographic research. Grace’s team Nautilus is also hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest mixed crew to circumnavigate Great Britain, which currently stands at 49 days, 1 hour and 29 minutes.

Ever since I started rowing I鈥檝e always said one day I want to row around the UK, and now it鈥檚 happening! As a competitive rower from a young age, progressing through national-level racing and competing at BUCS, Henley Royal Regatta and many others while at the 海角黑料, this project builds on years of dedication to the sport.
Grace Church

The second element of the challenge also sees the competitors contribute to ocean research. The team’s boat will act as a floating science platform, collecting real-time data on ocean health, including; microplastics, environmental DNA, biodiversity, temperature, acoustics and salinity.

We all have different roles when we鈥檙e not rowing. The stern cabin does more of the science and navigation, while the bow cabin is more in charge of the anchor, water and food. The data from the 2023 event is already being used to help scientists understand the extent to which coastal waters are affected by recent spikes in global sea surface temperatures.
Grace Church

Grace credits Nottingham for playing a significant role in her development - both academically through her Sport and Exercise Science degree, and athletically through three years of rowing with the University Boat Club.

The current world record for completing the row stands at just 26 days. Fewer than 30 people have completed the challenge since its inaugural row in 2005.

Follow Grace's progress at