boat race 7th boat race took place river_thames march boat_race rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge time event contested championship course race won cambridge beat oxford distance lengths background boat race held rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues oxford went race reigning champions having defeated cambridge half lengths previous race held cambridge led overall wins oxford universities failed agree location date race contests held years november secretary wrote oxford attempt start easter running boat race oxford committee willing lent term proposed change course race march boat race conducted championship course previous races having taken place thames cambridge arrived london wednesday race oxford following days later following displays practice rows cambridge considered favourites race cambridge boat built logan belonged oxford constructed king oxford umpire race commodore starter crews oxford crew weighed average pounds rower opposition crews rowed previous race conditions race possible water rough cambridge won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey station oxford light blues better start swell steamer richardson allowed oxford lead cambridge gradually recovered draw level walk clear despite poor steering losing hat waving crowds cambridge lengths ahead hammersmith_bridge continued pull away won lengths time minutes seconds fifth victory overall oxford boat race cambridge inflicted second defeat oxford later year winning grand challenge cup royal
The Boat Race 1845