Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race takes place on Sunday 29 March 2009 and has been described by some as the world’s longest surviving sporting challenge. It is an annual event, which takes place on the River Thames in London, between students from these the Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Set to begin at 15:40 on the 29 March 2009 BST, the 155th boat race will run from near Putney Road Bridge and conclude a few yards downstream from Chiswick road bridge. Click here to see a map of the route

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race has a history dating back to 1829 and was the brainchild of friends Charles Wordsworth – nephew of poet William and a student at Oxford – and Charles Merivale – who attended Cambridge. Charles set a boating challenge to his friend, which resulted in the birth of a tradition which continues today, over 170 years after the first race.

Oxford won the grueling 4.25 mile race in 2008 for the third time in five years – though overall, Cambridge current leads with 79 victories to Oxford’s 74.

Official website
http://www.theboatrace.org/