boat race 31st boat race took place march boat_race annual rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames race umpired oxford rower cambridge won half lengths fifth consecutive victory 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 cambridge went race reigning champions having defeated oxford lengths previous year race oxford led overall sixteen wins cambridge fourteen cambridge coached rowed cambridge races non rowing boat club president race rowed cambridge races cambridge boat club president rower races oxford coach rowed dark blues cambridge opted use boat built specifically race favour constructed race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race starter crews cambridge crew weighed average pounds opponents oxford saw return blues rowing boat race cambridge crew included blues returning time crew included australian non british participant race educated author oxford rower described oxford crew disappointment declaring cambridge fine crew race cambridge won toss elected start middlesex river handing surrey station oxford race started rowed exceptionally sluggish tide cambridge good start held half length lead bridge bend river began advantage surrey oxford drew contention crews level position moored barges provided good course smooth water dark blues took half length lead despite fatigue began set oxford crew cambridge came contention steady rhythm light blues level bathing place athens held clear water advantage bull head pub length ahead cambridge pulled ahead win half lengths time minutes seconds cambridge fifth consecutive victory took overall record favour oxford
The Boat Race 1874