A TEAM of Maldon sailors with a combined age of more than 260 have completed an epic 22 mile row.

The ‘Bus Pass Specials’ took part in the London+ river marathon, the Great River Race, last Sunday.

The team made up of Jimmy Byam-Shaw, 70, Pat Boss, 70, Sally Kennell, 65, and husband Brian Kennell, 62, took on the 22.2 mile course from Millwall to Ham in aid of Farleigh Hospice.

It was a day to remember for the team according to Pat.

She said: “We all loved it. We were surprised by how fresh we felt at the end of it, which is a sign of how good our preparation was.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere to be a part of. We went under all the big bridges, including Millennium Bridge, where there was a lot of clapping and waving from people cheering us on so that was very nice.

“As you got towards the end it narrowed more so you had people along the river banks cheering for you like you would for Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

“We were one of the smaller boats there. There were big eight man boats from Holland and there were dragon boats with their drums as well.

“We haven’t had a full debrief yet but I think we would definitely be open to doing it again next year.”

The crew, aboard Linnett, a boat built by Brian Kennell, completed the race in three hours and a quarter hours, finishing third in their class.

They managed to raise more than £500 for Farliegh Hospice.