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More than 1,500 rowers from Virginia and across the country are expected to compete at Alexandria City High School on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, as Erg Sprints returns for another day of intense indoor racing.
The event, billed as the nation’s largest and longest-running indoor rowing competition, will take over the school gym from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3330 King St. in Alexandria. About 140 ergometers—indoor rowing machines commonly called “ergs”—will fill the race floor.
First held in 1986, Erg Sprints grew from the history of Alexandria City’s crew program, which has trained elite competitors and Olympians. The championship attracts high school and college students, club rowers, elite and amateur athletes, young children, families and masters competitors. Past participants have ranged from younger than 10 to older than 80.
The schedule includes 2,000-meter races, 500-meter sprints, relays, half-marathon and marathon events, parent-child and children’s races, 20-minute junior rows, and 30-minute open and masters rows.
A C2 Triathlon, added in 2023, combines biking, skiing and rowing.
Registration is open to the public through RegattaCentral and must be completed by Jan. 24.