The Boat Race: Uk's Historic Rowing Event Date

when is the boat race uk

The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, held on the River Thames in London. The first men's race was held in 1829, and the first women's race in 1927. The 2024 Boat Race took place on Saturday 30 March 2024, with Cambridge claiming victory in both the men's and women's races. The 2025 race is scheduled for Sunday 13 April 2025.

Characteristics Values
Date of the next race 13th April 2025
Date of the 2024 race 30th March 2024
Time of the 2024 race 2:45 pm
Location River Thames, London
Course Name The Championship Course
Course Length 4 miles and 374 yards (6.8 km)
Course Start Point Putney Bridge
Course Finish Point Chiswick Bridge
Number of Women's Boat Races 78
Number of Men's Boat Races 169

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The Boat Race's history

The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, which traditionally takes place on the River Thames in London. The first men's race was held in 1829, while the first women's event was held in 1927.

The tradition was started by two friends, Charles Wordsworth (nephew of the poet William Wordsworth) of Christ Church College, Oxford, and Charles Merivale of St John's, Cambridge, who met at Harrow School during the vacation in Cambridge, where Wordsworth's father was master of Trinity. The pair went rowing on the Cam and decided to set up a challenge. On 10 February 1829, Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race at Henley-on-Thames, which Oxford won easily.

The race has been held annually since 1856, except during the First and Second World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The second race was held in 1836, with the venue moved to a course from Westminster to Putney. There was disagreement over where the race should be held, with Oxford preferring Henley and Cambridge preferring London. The official formation of the Oxford University Boat Club led to the resumption of racing between the two universities in 1839 on the Tideway, and this tradition continues to the present day. The loser of the race traditionally challenges the winner to a rematch every year.

The Championship Course has hosted the vast majority of the races. Covering a 4.2-mile (6.8 km) stretch of the Thames in West London, from Putney to Mortlake, it is over three times the distance of an Olympic race. Members of both crews are traditionally known as 'blues' and each boat as a 'Blue Boat', with Cambridge in light blue and Oxford in dark blue.

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The Cambridge-Oxford rivalry

The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, with the first men's race taking place in 1829 and the first women's race in 1927. The event has become synonymous with British tradition and excellence, with a rich history of rivalry between the two universities.

The rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge, often collectively referred to as "Oxbridge", goes back many centuries. For a long time, they were the only two universities in England and Wales, making the competition more intense. Both institutions are among the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world and have produced many influential alumni, including world leaders, renowned writers, and prominent scientists.

The Boat Race is one of the most well-known competitions between the two universities and has become an iconic British sporting event. The race traditionally takes place on a 4.2-mile (6.8 km) stretch of the River Thames in West London, from Putney to Mortlake. Members of the rowing crews are known as "blues", wearing light blue for Cambridge and dark blue for Oxford, and each boat is called a "Blue Boat".

The rivalry extends beyond the Boat Race, with other notable competitions including the Rugby Union and Rugby League Varsity Matches. The universities also compete in various other sports, such as cricket, ice hockey, and polo, showcasing the breadth of athletic talent among their students.

While the rivalry is intense, there is also a sense of cooperation between the two institutions. Most Oxford colleges have a sister college in Cambridge, and they work together to promote access and inclusivity for potential applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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The race route

The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The race usually takes place on the Championship Course, a tidal stretch of the River Thames in southwest London known as the Tideway. The course is 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long and runs from Putney to Mortlake.

The route begins downstream of Putney Bridge and passes under Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge before finishing just before Chiswick Bridge. The race runs past Putney Lower Common, alongside Furnivall Gardens, round the meander past Chiswick Steps, and past Chiswick Rugby Football Club grounds. The University Boat Race Stone adjacent to The Ship pub in Mortlake marks the finish line.

The Fulham Fan Park, located at Fulham FC's Riverside Stand adjacent to Bishops Park, is a popular viewing spot near the start of the race. Hammersmith Fan Park in Furnival Gardens is another favourite vantage point, offering a huge sweep of the river as the race reaches a critical stage with the Surrey bend coming into play.

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The race's winners

The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The race is held on the River Thames in London, UK, and is also known as the University Boat Race or the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

The Races' Winners

The Men's Race

The first men's race was held in 1829, and it has been held annually since 1856, except during the First and Second World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The race traditionally takes place on a 4.2-mile (6.8 km) stretch of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake, also known as the Championship Course.

As of the 2024 race, Cambridge has won the men's race 87 times to Oxford's 81 times, with one dead heat. Cambridge also holds the record for the fastest time, completing the course in 16 minutes and 19 seconds in 1998.

In recent years, the results of the men's race have varied. In 2023, Cambridge won the men's race, retaining their trophy with a victory of just over a length. This followed Oxford's win in 2022, which was their first victory in five years. Prior to that, Cambridge had a winning streak, claiming victory in 2021, 2020 (although this was a COVID-affected race), and 2019.

The Women's Race

The first women's race took place in 1927 but did not become an annual event until 1964. Since 2015, the women's race has been held on the same day and course as the men's race.

In the women's race, Cambridge has historically been dominant, with 47 wins to Oxford's 30. Cambridge also holds the record for the fastest time on the Tideway, completing the course in 18 minutes and 22 seconds in 2022.

Similar to the men's race, the women's race has seen some back-and-forth between the two universities in recent years. Cambridge won the women's race in 2023 and 2024, making it seven consecutive wins. However, Oxford won in 2022, and Cambridge had won every year before that since 2015.

A Historic Rivalry

The Boat Race is a highly anticipated event in the UK and is broadcast worldwide. It is a major point of honour and rivalry between the two prestigious universities. The competition has a rich history, with traditions such as the crews' colours, the awarding of "blues", and the tossing of a coin before the race.

The race attracts a large audience, with spectators lining the banks of the Thames and millions more watching on television. The event also has a festive atmosphere, with fan parks, food, drinks, and live music adding to the excitement of the races.

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Spectator information

The Boat Race is an annual event, attracting over 250,000 spectators to the banks of the River Thames and millions more watching on television. The 2024 race will take place on Saturday, March 30, with the women's race starting at 2:46 pm and the men's race at 3:46 pm. Spectator admission is free, and the race can be viewed from various points along the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake.

The Fulham Fan Park, located near the start of the race by Fulham FC's Riverside Stand adjacent to Bishops Park, is a popular viewing spot. It offers live music, bars, street food, and 14 screens showing live race action. The park opens at 11 am, with similar facilities available at the Hammersmith Fan Park in Furnival Gardens, located midway through the race course.

For those who want to watch the build-up and starting point of the race, Putney Bridge and the nearby banks of the River Thames provide excellent viewing spots. As the race progresses, Hammersmith Bridge is a favourite vantage point, offering a sweeping view of the river and the critical Surrey bend.

The race concludes just before Chiswick Bridge, where the University Boat Race Stone adjacent to The Ship pub in Mortlake marks the finish line.

To plan your journey and for travel tips, it is recommended to use Transport for London.

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