People lining the banks of the river on April 11 to watch the annual Oxford v Cambridge boat race will be able to enjoy not one, but two races.

Sporting history is being made with the women’s boat race - the Oxford v Cambridge Newton Women’s Boat Race to give it its full title - joining the men's Oxford v Cambridge BNY Mellon Boat Race for the first time.

First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, the boat races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world and one of the best places to enjoy the action is at Putney Embankment.

Both events take place from noon to 6.30pm, with the women’s race starting at 4.50pm and the men’s race at 5.50pm.

The first Boat Race took place in 1829 after Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race on the Thames. The modern race still runs along the same lines and has now become a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world.

On race day up to 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames to witness the action. Oxford won last year’s race by just over a length in a time of 17 minutes 28 seconds. However, Cambridge lead the overall series by 81 wins to 77, with the sides drawing in a dead heat once in the 1800s.

On the Women’s side Oxford were also victorious last year, but still trail Cambridge who lead the overall contest 40 to 29.

For more details about The Boat Races, visit the website.

Crews for the 2015 Oxford v Cambridge Boat Races

March 20, 2015