Entry for this year's championship has now closed at over 2,900 entrants. As ever, our aim is to build on the success of previous championships, and this year's will definitely be the best one ever with many of your recommendations and suggestions from last year's event (the previous best one ever) being put into practice. The one thing that all British IRCs have in common is that they're fun. Every year, a significant number of entrants drop out because they feel like they won't be able to do a fast enough time or because they think haven't managed to do enough training or that they aren't at a good enough level to do themselves justice. Every single person who does that breaks our heart. The British IRC is more than just the biggest indoor rowing race in the world and the biggest mass-participant indoor sporting event in the UK. It's also a gathering of the indoor rowing clan, a chance to meet other people who share the same enthusiasm as you. For many people, indoor rowing can be a solitary event, and this is the best opportunity to swap stories and training tips and gossip. Even if you're not competing, it's still worth it to come along and see some of the stars of the past, present and future race off on the levelest of level playing fields.Bullpen**************************************Although entry for the Championship has now closed, it is still possible to race on the day in the Bullpen. The Bullpen is where late entries; lightweights who do not make the weight and competitors who find themselves ineligible to compete in the category they are entered, race. Bullpen entrants are not eligible for medals and will be listed at the bottom of the appropriate race category when the official results are finally posted. Entry to the Bullpen costs an additional �5.00 for each entry. The entry fee is therefore �10.00 for J11-J16, �15.00 for J18, BUSA and 60+ and �20.00 for everybody else. Concept 2 European Open**************************************If you fancy strutting your stuff on an even bigger stage than the British IRC, then you might be interested in the 3rd Concept 2 European Open, which takes place on the 3rd of December in Copenhagen. The European Open promises to be a really good race. Denmark is one of the most indoor rowing mad countries around, and competition is expected to be strong and the hospitality to be great. Anybody can take part, and entry to the championship is free, with all competitors also getting a free British team t-shirt. To enter, simply email your name, date of birth, weight category and expected time to [email protected]. The entry deadline is Wednesday, 23rd November Race Timetable**************************************The Race Timetable will be out by midday on Monday. If you want to see who else is in your event, the full list of competitors can be found at http://www.therowingcompany.com/birc/events.php SMS Alert**************************************To get a text message giving the time and position of any competitor at the championship, make sure you sign up for free at http://www.therowingcompany.com/birc/results_service.php. With any luck we'll be able to get the results sent to your phone pretty quickly after each race although there may be a time lag depending on just on badly we manage to mess things up.