It is essentially a time trial conducted over an 8.6km course. The course is the Yarra River. The event starts in the City of Melbourne and winds its way upstream to the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
Crews start at a time interval and each crew is individually timed.
Competitors range from Olympians to Novices to young School children all competing in the one event at the same time. The results are not known until the final presentation ceremony. 3000 spectators follow the event over its 8.6k course and gather at Hawthorn for the finish and presentations. It is both a serious and fun event for competitive and social rowers. Initially there was only one section.