Who has won the most Boat Races and why do only Cambridge and Oxford universities participate?

THE world-famous Oxford vs Cambridge boat race has been an annual event since 1856 and is back again THIS WEEKEND Only two World Wars and Covid-19 have prevented the two rivals going head-to-head down the River Thames.

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With the two universities going head-to-head again on Sunday, here’s all you need to know about the history of the race.

What is the history of the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race?

The tradition was first started by a Cambridge student named Charles Merivale in 1829. He challenged his friend, Charles Wordsworth, who was studying at Oxford, and he gladly accepted. Cambridge lost the first face at Henley-On-Thames and had to wait seven years for a rematch where Cambridge came out on top. After a disagreement on the location, they eventually raced from Westminster to Putney until 1842 and then from Mortlake to Putney where it is still held to this day. The course is dubbed the Championship Course and is a 4.2-mile (6.8km) stretch of the Thames. In 1877 it was the only time when the race was declared a dead heat. Both crews finished the course in 24 minutes and eight seconds through terrible weather. Apparently the judge at the time was aged 70 and was practically blind in one year. It is believed that Oxford should have won on that day. More recently in 2012, huge disruption occurred when a protester entered the water and swam between the two boats. He was protesting against spending cuts and both boats were required to stop for over 30 minutes. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Who has the most wins in the Boat Race?

The Boat Race is VERY competitive but the Light Blues of Cambridge have been in dominant form in recent years. After last year, they have now won five of the last six in the men’s race and SEVEN in a row in the women’s race. As a result of their 2024 wins, Cambridge now leads 87-81 (with one draw) in the men’s race. In 1877 that draw was declared a “dead heat” – in a race mired in controversy – although Oxford often counts this as their victory.

The women’s stats are slightly different. Since it was introduced in 1927, Cambridge has won 48 times, while Oxford only 30.

Where does The Boat Race take place?

The ‘Championship Course’ is 4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 km long,  stretching between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames. This course was first used for the Boat Race in 1845 and has been used for every race since, apart from in 1846, 1856 and 1863 when the race was held in the opposite direction between Mortlake and Putney. The Fulham/Chiswick side of the course is known as the Middlesex side. The Putney/Barnes side of the course is known as the Surrey side. The events are rowed upstream, but are timed to start on the incoming flood tide. The men’s race usually occur an hour before high tide, with the women’s race a further hour before so that the crews are rowing with the fastest possible current.

When is the Boat Race 2025?

The Boat Race 2025 takes place on Sunday, April 13. There are four races in total, the men’s and women’s and two reserve races. The race is aired on BBC One and can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer. Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action as it happens.