Not all were able to cross the finish line first, but if effort and sportsmanship were to be taken into account, they were all winners.

Despite being in its ninth year and non-stop rain throughout the day the event, supported by The Evening Telegraph, lacked none of the sparkle of past contests.

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Many of the competing crews, comprising 16 paddlers and a drummer to set the stroke rhythm, were racing for the event's official charity, Peterborough SportsAid, although some competitors were raising money for other charities.

Race organiser Merklyn Hauck said: "We are hoping to raise thousands of pounds again for the charities. Last year we got about £15,000, and we are hoping to beat that total this year."

The team winning the charity trophy for most money raised went to Acco Five 0 – from Acco UK Ltd – who raised more than £1,200 for the charity.

The first race started at 10am, with another 35 races taking place before the eventual winners, SportsAid Speedsters, a crew from event sponsors Crightons, were crowned, taking over from last year's champions, The Vacformers.

Mr Hauck said: "It is not how fast a team can paddle, but how well they work as a team. The winners are always the team with the best communication."

One of the most impressive performances in the first round of racing came from the Medic Maniacs, the team from Peterborough Ambulance station, who triumphed in heat four. Team captain Jo Andrews said: "Our job is great training for the race. We have spent the last few weeks carrying old ladies up and down stairs in preparation for the races."

It was not all about the winning, however.

City Slickers, an all-women team from Peteborough City Council including Gillian Beasley, chief executive and Cllr Marion Todd, may not have made it past the post – or flag, in this instance – first, but deserved praise for their effort.

Head of communications at the city council Caroline Parsons said the ranking was irrelevant because "we had a lot of fun and raised money for charity".

The men's team of City Slickers, which included the city's divisional police commandaner Paul Phillipson and Cllr Graham Murphy, did considerably better than their female counterparts.

Munters (Ltd) Barbarian Hoard team, complete with frightening looking viking helmets, were just hoping to improve on last year's performance. Jonathan Ayling said: "Last year we finished second last, so we can't get much worse.We are all having great fun, even if we are getting a little wet."