boat race 20th boat race crews university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge took place river_thames march oxford won lengths time minutes seconds took overall record wins time race scores level race held tide championship course reverse time race held fashion race 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 21st century followed united_kingdom broadcast worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won race lengths cambridge leading overall victories oxford according boat club president sensible duty kept records training crews crews arrived week race practice sessions run main event cambridge boat built race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race crews oxford crew averaged feet height weighed average pounds rower opposition oxford crew represented university previous year race including rowing stroke time cambridge boat contained members crew including race oxford clear pre race favourites won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river cambridge like race race conducted tide start moved rails room crews start race delayed half hour result number course future british king attendance time race mild breeze water perfect cambridge better start oxford steady rowing brought level yards start nearly half length light blues clear lengths mile_post oxford crossed row directly cambridge according evident race barring accidents dark blues lengths shot barnes bridge won lengths oxford consecutive victory took overall total wins time race scores tied
The Boat Race 1863