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The Boat Race is a rowing race between Oxford University and Cambridge University. It is rowed annually each Spring on the River Thames in London, England. The event is an extremely popular one, not only with the alumni of the universities but with rowers in general and those with no connection at all. It's estimated that a quarter of a million people watch the race from the river banks.
The course is 4 1/4 miles from Putney to Mortlake. The race is for heavyweight eights (i.e. for eight rowers with a cox steering, and no restrictions on weight). The race is timed so that the rowers row against the tide. The first race was held at Henley-on-Thames in 1829. The first race on the current course was in 1845. The tradition was started by Charles Merivale, a student at Cambridge, and his schoolfriend Charles Wordsworth who was at Oxford. Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race, and the challenge was repeated the next year. The tradition continues, with the loser challenging the winner to a re-match annually.
Although the heavyweight mens eights are the main draw, the two universities compete in other rowing boat races. The main boat race is preceded by a race beween the two reserve crews, (called "Isis" for Oxford and "Goldie" for Cambridge). Women's eights, women's reserve eights and mens and women's lightweight eights also race at Henley on a different day.
Only in one year was there a draw.
"I can't see who's in the lead but it's either Oxford or Cambridge." -John Snagge (BBC radio commentator).
Because of this event, boat race has become rhyming slang for face.
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