Rowers Gather For Head Of The Charles Regatta

Thousands of rowers from around the world are in Boston and Cambridge this weekend for the 48th Head of the Charles Regatta, the world's largest rowing competition.

Twenty-eight countries are represented in the race, including 60 Olympians from the 2012 London Games. In all, 2,000 boats and 9,000 athletes between the ages of 14 and 85 will participate.

The race began Saturday morning at the Boston University Boathouse in Cambridge. Its route proceeds upstream to the finish line at Herter Park.

“It's a massive undertaking and a huge economic boost for the commonwealth," Regatta Executive Director Fred Schoch said, "estimated at between $43 million and $46 million” because of spectator spending. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands of people to line the banks of the Charles to watch.

"It's gonna be 72 degrees," Schoch said. "People will be down in their shorts and T-shirts. They'll be eating and drinking and watching the world's best athletes."