boat race 17th boat race took place march held annually boat race rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames time history event race restarted result cambridge won event length slowest time background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues race held taken place mile championship course river thames southwest london oxford went race reigning champions having defeated cambridge sank previous year race cambridge led overall wins oxford seven challenge race sent president president october term subsequent agreement compete march soon deemed unacceptable cambridge crew required examinations days prior tide day agreed hold race following day march oxford initially considered favourites cambridge practice rows odds cambridge boat built specifically race boat yard feet length oxford vessel previous year race foot long boat built newcastle race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race crews crews pairs trials oxford crew weighed average pounds rower opposition crew contained members featured previous year race represented cambridge hall competed race morrison represented oxford second time making appearance event race crowd lining banks thames immense weather oxford won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river cambridge immediately starter commanded boats commence interrupted proceedings blocking boats passage forcing declare false start time boat_race history event required restarted crew good start cambridge took early lead oxford recovered draw level star pub led half length dark blues nearly clear pub cox steered attempt clear water cambridge cox called push defend course causing crews clash passed central pier hammersmith_bridge cambridge holding foot lead extended half length barnes bridge light blues held length half lead passed ship tavern winning length time minutes seconds remains slowest winning time history event
The Boat Race 1860