On Sunday, the University of Cambridge Boat Club and the University of Oxford Boat Club will take to the icy cold Thames and row it out in the 170th edition of the historic rowing race. Last year, Cambridge whitewashed their fierce rivals in both the men’s and women’s races.
Oxford will therefore be motivated to exact some revenge and win for the first time since 2022, when the men last tasted victory. As for the women, Cambridge are currently on a seven-year win streak.
More than 300,000 people line the banks of the river in the capital for a glimpse at the two rowing giants’ battle. Here, Mirror Sport takes you through how you can do the same, either on television or in person.
While the event is known simply as ‘The Boat Race’, there are in fact four races taking place on the day. The 79th rendition of the Women’s Boat Race is scheduled to begin at 1.21pm.
Up next will be the ‘Women’s Reserve Race: Osiris vs Blondie’ at 1.36pm, which will then be closely followed by the ‘Men’s Reserve Race: Isis v Goldie’ at 1.31pm.
When those races have all been wrapped up, the 170th Men’s Boat Race will begin at approximately 2.21pm.
‘London’s Party by the River’ covers a vast 4.25-mile stretch across the River Thames. It is mainly in west London between Putney and Mortlake.
It officially begins in Putney, where the crews of both universities are based in boathouses alongside the Putney Embankment. The coin toss to decide which side of the river a team races on takes place in the same area, before the crews take their places on the boat.
The race then goes through Fulham, Hammersmith and Barnes, before finishing in Mortlake, just before the Chiswick Bridge.
For those watching on the television, tune into BBC One to watch the races and all of the analysis before and after it. Coverage begins on the Beeb at 12.20pm and runs until 3.10pm. Those who prefer to stream online will be able to watch through BBC iPlayer.
The Boat Race also has their own YouTube channel which live streams the race for supporters who may not be able to access the BBC. The YouTube channel is simply called The Boat Race and is free to use.
Those who wish to travel to west London to watch the event live can do so for free. The event has a proud history of always offering spectators free access to watch the race.
Event organisers have set up fan zone experiences in Hammersmith and Fulham and there are also several pubs and drink spots along the river to watch the boats go by.
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