boat race 35th boat race took place april boat_race annual rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames total blues took contest race umpired rower oxford won margin lengths time minutes seconds victory took overall record oxford favour background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues held race takes place miles championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom broadcast worldwide crew went race reigning champions previous year race declared dead heat oxford held overall lead victories cambridge cambridge coach rowed light blues races oxford coached rowed dark blues previous year rowing number rowed represented oxford races race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race starter finishing judge crews oxford crew weighed average pounds opponents cambridge saw blues return including cox george davies taking fourth consecutive boat race oxford crew included individuals experience race boat club president making fourth appearance event suggested oxford crew best date race oxford won toss elected start surrey station handing middlesex river cambridge race commenced rating oxford strokes minute cambridge took early lead half length ahead minute held lead round bend favoured river curved favour oxford dark blues quickly overtook slower stroke rate half length clear crab tree pub extended lengths hammersmith_bridge oxford won seconds approximately lengths time minutes seconds second victory years took overall record favour
The Boat Race 1878