boat race 38th boat race annual rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames took place april race umpired oxford won margin lengths time minutes seconds taking overall record favour background boat race annual rowing competition university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge held competition mile race championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won previous year race quarter lengths held overall lead victories cambridge excluding dead heat cambridge coached rowed cambridge races blue times rowed times represented cambridge races oxford coaches rowed oxford races rowed non rowing boat club president blue times rowed twice races umpire race rowed cambridge times starter night race anniversary dinner held commemorate anniversary event crews oxford crew weighed average pounds opponents cambridge crew included blues making appearance event oxford saw rowers boat_race experience return including rowing time race day race oxford number ill author rower suggested necessary west oxford stroke nurse possible oxford won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river cambridge cold north easterly wind race commenced dark blues cambridge taking early lead taking advantage favourable bend river oxford half length ahead crab tree pub cambridge began reduce deficit oxford decreased stroke rate crews nearly level bend river favour cambridge oxford increased rating hammersmith_bridge held quarter length lead held light blues clear length lead barnes railway bridge increased time oxford passed finishing post winning time minutes seconds oxford second consecutive victory took overall record favour
The Boat Race 1881