boat race 21st boat race annual rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames took place march umpired oxford won lengths time minutes seconds fastest winning time event held championship course race start moved order avoid river traffic witnessed 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 rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won race lengths overall record tied victories location start race moved approximately feet upstream order reduce race boat club presidents issued caution steamer captains indicating race conducted tide place risk grounded finish moved corresponding distance upstream maintain traditional length race oxford rowed boat previous race constructed cambridge utilised new vessel built taylor newcastle oxford coached rowed races non rowing president race race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race starter crews cambridge crew weighed average pounds rower opposition cambridge crew tall averaging rower oxford crew contained rowers previous years race cambridge boat saw participants race bow number cox light blues race returned race weather day race sunny mild breeze future king united kingdom edward vii attendance result start time moved forward enable prince leave engagement oxford pre race favourites won toss start middlesex station handing surrey river cambridge better start soon led length field oxford recovered draw level started leave light blues half mile course dark blues held half length lead extended length clear water advantage crossed cambridge lengths ahead pub extending lengths hammersmith_bridge far ahead barnes bridge advantage lengths impossible accurately counted position finish line oxford crew stopped rowing early aware mistake rowed finish winning lengths time minutes seconds fourth consecutive victory time fastest winning time history event
The Boat Race 1864