Women rowers embark on historic Thames race - CNN.com 8 of 8 (CNN) For more than 150 years, men's rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge have battled it out for supremacy in the annual University Boat Race on London's River Thames. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the race was first contested over the four-and-a-quarter mile course between Putney and Mortlake in 1845, but never have two women crews from the UK's oldest universities raced on that same famed waterway. Until now. Follow @cnnsport On Saturday, in a long overdue break with tradition, two female teams will compete in the Women's Boat Race on the route and on the same day as their male counterparts for the first time. "We are all really excited about it happening. It's a really major step for women's rowing bringing the Women's Boat Race to the Tideway (the part of the Thames subjected to tides)," said David Searle, Executive Director of the Boat Race Company , who organize the annual event. It's a really major step for women's rowing bringing the Women's Boat Race to the Tideway.

David Searle, Executive Director of the Boat Race Company "It's been on people's wish list to happen for a very long time. It's really very exciting and the fulfillment of loads of different people's ambitions and the efforts of a vast number of people from the organizers to women's clubs to the men's clubs as well who have been very accommodating." Read More The women's race started back in 1927 and during the early years the two crews of eight would race separately down a route with judges marking rowing style as well as speed. Since the 1970s, the race has been run a week before the men's event over a course at Henley-on-Thames, 40 miles west of London. Searle says moving the race to the UK capital this year is the result of several years of planning and a cash injection from boat race sponsors BNY Mellon and Newton . "They realized they couldn't just plonk them straight on the tideway. So they invested in them in total for four years, but really seriously invested for two years," said Searle, who made two Boat Race appearances for Cambridge during the 1970s.

Head coach of the Oxford woman's team, Christine Wilson says the cash injection has been invaluable. "What the sponsorship is allowing is for these women to become models of what's possible," Wilson told Bloomberg.com . "As much as this is about athletic performance and boat speed and a standard of athletic achievement, it is also about showing women in the world that this is possible." Saturday's race will also break new ground in terms of distance with both crews having to row nearly 7,000 meters this year, compared to the 2,000 meters they have been used to at Henley. The enormity of the task cannot be underestimated, but Searle says the atmosphere in the build up to the race has been electric. The future is super positive. The race has been in existence since 1927, but this is a new tradition we are establishing here and it's going to be just like the men's race. David Searle, Executive Director of the Boat Race Company "It's a massive deal.

I've got to say that the smiles on the faces is actually really good to see because they are enjoying themselves and why wouldn't they -- they're making history and being a part of it is great." The women's race is due off at 15.50 (GMT) on Saturday, an hour before the men who will be competing against each other for the 161st time. The men's race, which began in 1829, has featured a number of famous oarsman down the years including Briton's four-time Olympic gold medalist Matthew Pinsent (Oxford) and actor Hugh Lawrie (Cambridge) with Cambridge leading the historic battle with 81 wins to Oxford's 78. Oxford's men have been in the ascendency in recent years winning seven of the last 10 races and its a similar tale for the women with the dark blues favorite to win for a fourth-year running and further close the gap on Cambridge who lead overall with 41 wins to Oxford's 28. "Oxford are looking very strong I have to say. But you never know in the boat race, things can happen but you'll get long odds on Cambridge," Searle says.

Whatever the outcome on the water when both crews reach dry land, they can expect a hero's welcome by champions of gender equality. "The future is super positive. The race has been in existence since 1927, but this is a new tradition we are establishing here and it's going to be just like the men's race. The Cancer Research UK Boat Races - The Basics The Cancer Research UK Boat Races What is The Boat Race? The Boat Race is an annual contest between two rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The Race takes place close to Easter each year on the River Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake. The first race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between old school friends. Since the second race in 1836 the contest has taken place in London. A brief history of The Women's Boat Race The Women’s Boat Race has enjoyed a peripatetic existence since its foundation in 1927, only becoming a permanent fixture in the mid 1960’s. However even into that decade women’s crews faced hostility from some of their male counterparts, who didn't believe women should be allowed to row, let alone race.

Once the Race moved to Henley in the late 1970's there was a noticeable improvement in standards and the rivalry become a permanent feature of the Oxbridge sporting landscape. The Course The Boat Race course, known as the Championship Course is 4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 Km long. It stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in South West London. The crews who win the coin toss before the race choses which side (or station) they will race on. The stations are known as Middlesex and Surrey, with advantages and disadvantages for each side because of the bends in the river. The Races start downstream of Putney Bridge and passes under Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge before finishing just before Chiswick Bridge. The record time over the course in The Boat Race is 16 minutes 19 seconds, set by Cambridge in 1998. The four crews The teams compete in eight oared rowing boats, each steered by a cox who sits in the stern or back of the boat. The cox is the only crew member who faces in the direction they are moving. All four Clubs train and select the rowers and cox for their university's crew.

All of the crew members are students. The four crews are known as the Blue Boats after the award their universities give them for competing in the race. Both universities have reserve crews. For the men, Oxford's reserve boat is called Isis, Cambridge's is called Goldie, and they will race half an hour before the Blue Boats. The women's reserve crews, Osiris (Oxford) and Blondie (Cambridge). Both Cambridge crews wear light blue, whilst Oxford's wear dark blue. The Cancer Research UK Boat Races For the 2016 & 2017 Boat Races, sponsors BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management have donated their title sponsorship to Cancer Research UK. This is a landmark move, the first of its type, which will hopefully see the awareness of CRUK's work continue to increase over the two year initiative. Where to watch The BNY Mellon Boat Races The Boat Races are one of the biggest free sporting events in London. See them from one of the many vantage points along the riverbank such as Putney, Hammersmith, Barnes or Chiswick.

Boat Races in the Park events in Bishops Park, Fulham and Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith feature big screens plus merchandising stalls and bars. In the UK, the Races are shown live on BBC1 and streamed on the BBC iPlayer. More watching information will be published closer to the Races. Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races (163rd), River Thames between Mortlake and Putney - Sport Event in London Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races (163rd) Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races (163rd) River Thames between Mortlake and Putney River Thames between Mortlake and Putney SW6 3UH Nearest Station: River bank events start at 12pm. Races at 4:35pm and 5:35pm Admission: Free to spectate About the event The world famous sporting event between Oxford and Cambridge was first held in 1829. The 4¼ mile Thames course from Putney to Mortlake is over three times as long as the Olympic course. First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, The BNY Mellon Boat Races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world.

April 2017 will see the running of the 163rd Boat Race and 72nd Women's Boat Race, both now taking place on the Championship Course. Watched by thousands along the banks of the Tideway, between Putney and Mortlake in London, and by millions more on TV around the world, The Cancer Research UK Boat Races are a unique sporting event. With four very strong squads of athletes, expect to see great Races this year. Enjoy the festival atmosphere of the Boat Race by watching for free from one of the many vantage points along the course. You should be able to find a place to watch on either side of the river along the full length of the course, but particular areas to note are: Putney Bridge, Putney Embankment and Bishops Park (at the start); Hammersmith and Barnes (mid-course); Dukes Meadows and Chiswick Bridge (at the finish). There are large screens at Bishops Park, Fulham and Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith which mean you will be able to watch the whole Race before and after the crews have passed. The parks will also feature food outlets, beer stands and merchandising stalls.

BNY Mellon & Newton Pull Together for Cancer Research UK | BNY Mellon BNY Mellon & Newton Pull Together for Cancer Research UK March 2016 The Cancer Research UK Boat Races, supported by BNY Mellon and Newton, took place on Sunday, March 27th on the River Thames in London and were broadcast live on the BBC. A replay is available on the official Boat Races website. Congratulations to Cambridge, winners of The Cancer Research UK Boat Race and to their women's reserve crew Blondie, winners of the Women's Reserve Boat Race. Congratulations to Oxford, winners of The Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race, and to their men's reserve crew, Isis, winners of the Men's Reserve Boat Race. In a world first, BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management have donated their title sponsorship of the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races to Cancer Research UK, the chosen charity partner of the Boat Races Company Ltd. We are proud to support the Cancer Research UK Boat Races and pioneer a new model for corporate sponsorship. BNY Mellon has sponsored the Men's Boat Race, which takes place annually between the crews of Oxford and Cambridge Universities on the River Thames in London, UK, for the past three years.

During this time, a significant contribution to charities has been made through fundraising, volunteering and donations. In 2015 we helped to achieve a historic first by bringing gender parity to the Boat Races, working with one of our investment management boutiques and sponsor of the Women's Boat Race, Newton Investment Management, to bring the women's race to the same course and on the same day as the men's. BNY Mellon is invested in innovation and corporate social responsibility. By donating our title sponsorship to Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent cancer research organization, our investment can effect greater societal change in 2016. The Cancer Research UK Boat Races, supported by BNY Mellon and Newton, will be held on the River Thames, between Putney and Mortlake in London on Sunday 27 March 2016 and broadcast live on the BBC. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. BST (or 7:30 a.m. EST). Watch the video to find out more. Important Information BNY Mellon Investment Management is an investment management organization, encompassing BNY Mellon’s affiliated investment management firms, wealth management organization and global distribution companies.

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Download A landmark moment on the Thames A landmark moment on the Thames Updated 1522 GMT (2322 HKT) April 10, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames Oxford (left) and Cambridge University's women's teams pose for a publicity shot ahead of this year's historic race on London's River Thames. This year is the first time that the Women's Boat Race has been held on the same day and on the same course as the men's race. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames Oxford president Anastasia Chitty (left) and Cambridge president Caroline Reid will lead two crews of eight on Saturday April 11. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames Cambridge University's women out practicing on the Thames ahead of Saturday's race. The first Women's Boat Race was held in 1927. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames Oxford celebrate winning the race held at Henley-on-Thames in 2014.

The Women's Boat Race has been raced at the famous rowing venue 40 miles west of London since the 1970s. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames The men's University Boat Race has been contested on London's Thames since 1845. The annual race between the UK's two premier universities takes place between Putney Bridge (pictured) and Mortlake in south-west London. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames All crews in both the women's and men's races pass under Hammersmith Bridge. The famous London landmark is reached 1.5 miles into the 4.25-mile course. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames The event takes place annually around Easter time. Despite frequently glum weather, the race always attracts tens of thousands of spectators along the route with many congregating at the start in Putney (pictured) on the south bank of the Thames. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: A landmark moment on the Thames In all, each team will complete around 600 strokes during the contest cutting through the often choppy waters of the Thames.

Hide Caption The Boat Races Sponsors BNY Mellon Newton Pull Together For Cancer Research UK 01-19-2016 newsid-129733 A A A LONDON, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world first, BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management, sponsors of The Boat Races, today announce they are donating their title sponsorship of the annual challenge between Oxford and Cambridge Universities to Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the official charity partner. The event will now be known as The Cancer Research UK Boat Races with a new identity that will incorporate the famous Dark Blue of Oxford and Light Blue of Cambridge with the charity's distinctive magenta and blue. The campaign will see Cancer Research UK receive substantial exposure throughout the Races, which will take place on the Championship Course on the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake on 27th March. BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management will work together with Cancer Research UK to support their fundraising activities in the build up to The Boat Races and will also be implementing their own initiatives with all fundraising in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Curtis Arledge, Vice Chairman of BNY Mellon and CEO of Investment Management, commented: "We are committed to ensuring our sponsorship of The Boat Races reflects our focus on meaningful investments, especially when we can leverage our sponsorship to further effect change. We are proud to be working with Cancer Research UK, whose work touches the lives of so many. "We have the opportunity to be a sponsorship partner that genuinely changes people's lives for the better through sport. Just as the four crews from Oxford and Cambridge will pull together to battle for glory on the water, BNY Mellon, Newton Investment Management and Cancer Research UK are pulling together to fight cancer." Helena Morrissey, Chief Executive Officer of Newton Investment Management, added: "We are delighted to be trailblazing a whole new model for corporate sponsorship. The role of business in society is clear: in addition to performing well for customers and shareholders, we can and must use our resources to help solve difficult problems. We hope this news encourages other companies around the world to follow suit and that together, we can make a genuine difference." David Searle, Executive Director of The Boat Race Company Ltd said: "In BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management we knew we had sponsors who would do something out of the ordinary.

After making history with the introduction of The Women's Boat Race to the Tideway in 2015, this amazing gesture is breaking new ground in sponsorship. We are very grateful to BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management for this move and for their commitment to support their gesture by helping to raise significant sums of money for Cancer Research UK through the various events they are developing with us and the team at CRUK." Sir Harpal S. Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "We are enormously grateful to BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management for their generous donation. Cancer Research UK's work has fuelled the progress that has seen cancer survival rates double in the last 40 years. Today, two in four people survive cancer. Our ambition is to accelerate progress so that three in four people survive cancer by 2034 and this donation is a very welcome contribution to that aim." Earlier this month, Cancer Research UK launched The Great Row – a new fitness challenge, which is completed on indoor rowing machines and encourages the nation to dust off their trainers and take part to help beat cancer sooner.

To take part in The Great Row, individuals and teams can choose from different challenge levels; with rowing distances starting from 2,000 metres, going up to a full marathon. Participants can train for free at Fitness First gyms every Friday throughout January, February and March, with The Great Row's official fitness partner welcoming participants every day from 19th – 26th March to complete their challenge ahead of the official races. The Cancer Research UK Boat Races will take place on Sunday 27th March 2016. The Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race will take place at 3.10pm GMT and The Cancer Research UK Boat Race at 4.10pm GMT. To get involved, please follow @BNYMellonRaces #PullTogether NOTES TO EDITORS: Newton Investment Management is a London-based global investment management subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

With assets under management of £45.2 billion (as at September 30, 2015), including assets managed by Newton Investment Management Limited as dual officers of Newton Capital Management Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, Newton's group of affiliated companies provides investment products and services to a wide range of clients, including pension funds, charities, corporations and (via BNY Mellon) individuals. News and other information about Newton are available at and via Twitter: @NewtonIM. BNY Mellon Investment Management is one of the world's leading investment management organisations and one of the top US wealth managers, with $1.6 trillion in assets under management. It encompasses BNY Mellon's affiliated investment management firms, wealth management services and global distribution companies. More information can be found at . BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets.

As of September 30, 2015, BNY Mellon had $28.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on . Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at for the latest company news. About The Boat Races The Boat Race is a major London event which takes place on the River Thames over 4¼ miles between Putney and Mortlake in the University Easter holidays. The first Race took place in 1829 and it has been held every year since 1856 with the exception of the two World Wars. The current score between the two men's Clubs is Cambridge 81, Oxford 79 with one dead heat. The first Women's Boat Race took place in 1927 in the form of a time and style contest. Since then, the Oxford and Cambridge University Women's Boat Clubs have competed annually.

In 2015, following a decision by The Boat Race Company Ltd and with the invaluable help of BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management, it relocated to The Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake to compete on the same day as the men across the same course. The current score between the two women's Clubs is Cambridge 41, Oxford 29. About Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK was announced as the official charity partner of The Boat Races in October 2015 Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Cancer Research UK's pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years. Today, two in four people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK's ambition is to accelerate progress so that three in four people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.

Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook This press release is issued by The Bank of New York Mellon to members of the financial press and media. All information and figures source BNY Mellon unless otherwise stated as at release is qualified for issuance in the UK and Europe and is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer or solicitation of securities or investment services or an endorsement thereof in any jurisdiction or in any circumstance in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful or not authorized. Any views and opinions contained in this document are those of the investment manager, unless otherwise noted. This press release is issued by BNY Mellon Investment Management (US) and BNY Mellon Investment Management EMEA Limited (BNYMIM EMEA) to members of the financial press and media and the information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice.

The value of investments and the income from them is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise due to stock market and currency movements. When you sell your investment you may get back less than you originally invested. Registered office of BNYMIM EMEA: BNY Mellon Centre, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4LA. Registered in England no. 1118580. Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A BNY Mellon Company. SOURCE BNY Mellon Ghostwriter - The Boat Race The University Boat Race The University Boat Race is a rowing race on the River Thames in London, held in the last week of March every year between teams from Oxford University and Cambridge University. The two crews raced from Putney to Mortlake - four and a quarter miles long - in a tradition dating back to 1829. Past The Race between the two universities was the brain-child of two friends, Charles Merival (a Cambridge student) and Charles Wordsworth (an Oxford student and nephew of the poet William Wordsworth). On 12th March, 1829, Cambridge sent a racing challenge to Oxford and a tradition was born.

The two crews first met in this historic competition at the now famous Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The year 1829 was the founding of the Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC). It was not until ten years later that the Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC) was established. Since 1829 the Boat Race has been rowed every year except those of the two World Wars, in 1914-18 and 1940-45. Except for the first Boat Race, the early Boat Races were held at Westminster-Putney course in London but, by 1845, Westminster was so overcrowded that the Race was moved six miles up-stream to Putney which, in bygone days, was a quaint country village. From 1856, this annual event was moved to the Putney-Mortlake course and has been contested there ever since. In the early years of the Boat Race the crews wore no distinguishing colours. In 1836 Oxford selected dark blue to race in, the colour of their stroke-man's college (Christ Church), and Cambridge adopted the "duck egg blue" of Eton.

The first woman to get a "Blue" was Sue Brown, who coxed Oxford in 1981 and 1982. In time-honoured tradition, five weeks before Race Day, the losing team of the previous year challenges the winners to a new race, then crews are announced to the world's press. On the Race Day, an official toss takes place before the Boat Race begins to determine which side of the river each crew will row. The Boat Race is always preceded by a race over the same course between the two reserve crews: Isis (Oxford) and Goldie (Cambridge). In the history of the Boat Race there has been one dead heat. The judge on the finish ("Honest John" Phelps) was asleep under a bush as the crews raced past. When awakened and asked the result he said "Dead heat to Oxford by four feet". Present Preparation for the big day takes place as early as six months prior to Race Day, and sees the eighteen students training for six hours a day, six days a week in a bid to add their names to the history books of this prestigious racing spectacle.

Initial training and selection is carried out at each university from October to December, culminating in the 'Trial Eights' - when each university races two of its own crews against each other over the Race course as a dry run. Individual performances are rated and crews for the big Race are selected at this point by the coaches. Between early January and mid-March, students are put through an exacting training schedule at the university training centres: Ely (Cambridge) and Wallingford (Oxford), which is interspersed with practice runs on the River Thames. By the crews' own choice, a section of the university holidays is taken up with rowing work-outs in foreign locations. Interest in the race goes far beyond those people who have rowed or who went to either University. The Boat Race has for 150 years attracted attention not only from the United Kingdom, but from all around the world, in particular Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Boat Race is one of the most popular events in the British sporting calendar and attracts a massive crowd of over 250,000 to the banks of the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake, with pubs, bars and rowing clubs dotted along the towpath and embankment for spectators to visit. It is also one of the only free sporting spectacles in London. Over the last five years, the live BBC television audience for the Boat Race has averaged over six million, making it a top five live televised annual British sporting event (along with the Grand National, the FA Cup Final, Wimbledon finals and the British Grand Prix). The BBC recently signed a new contract to cover the event through to 2004. The event also has a huge international following with a potential viewing audience of 400 million in around 160 countries. Meet this yearï¿½s crews 1999 marks the 145th Boat Race between the two universities. It took place at 3.30p.m. on Saturday 3rd April 1999.

The crews for the 145th Boat Race and its Reserve Race were announced at the Challenge on 1st March 1999, at the Star and Garter in Putney, London. Three Blues from last year returned to the Cambridge crew. President Brad Crombie, Olympic oarsman Graham Smith and Toby Wallace rowed in the 1998 Cambridge crew which won in a record time of 16 minutes and 19 seconds. One member of last year's reserve crew (Goldie), Kieran West, joined them. Oxford, who are attempting to break Cambridge's run of six consecutive wins, also retain three members of last year's Blue Boat. Charlie Humphreys, this year's President, and Andrew Lindsay, are both making their third attempt to win the Boat Race. Henrik Nilsson, who, in 1998, became the first Swede ever to row in the Boat Race, makes his second attempt. Cambridge University, the marginal underdogs, recorded their seventh Boat Race victory in a row for the first time since before the last war. They won by three and a half lengths in the second fastest time ever 16 minutes 41 seconds.

So far, the score is 76 to Cambridge, 68 to Oxford, with one dead heat. The Boat Race is the longest-surviving amateur event of national standing in the UK, and the oldest formally organised sport at Oxford and Cambridge universities. It remains unique not simply because of its national and international profile, but because, despite the changes of the last hundred years, it remains as it was in the outset, a private race between eighteen young men (and sometimes women) from the two most famous universities in the world. Perhaps one of the most amazing things about the race is the world class standards achieved by two totally amateur crews who have to combine a demanding training schedule with their studies, at what are perhaps the two most famous educational institutions in the world. History of the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race | River Thames London Boat Blog River Thames London Boat Blog » History of the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race The University Boat Race is one of the River Thames’ best known events on the calendar, attracting a cross section of supporters, sponsors and spectators from across the UK and internationally. For those of you who’ve been living under a rock, the Boat Race is an annual contest between two rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

The first race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between two school chums and has been repeated annually, except during the First and Second World Wars. The date of the race varies each year, usually falling on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April, subject to the state and time of the high tide. The race is rowed upstream, with the assistance of the incoming tide behind them, usually starting an hour before high water. Today, the race takes place between the University Stones at Putney and Mortlake with the start line just upriver of Putney Bridge and the finish line just before Chiswick Bridge. The course is 4 miles, 374 yards (6.8 km). This course was first used for the Boat Race in 1845 and has been used for every race since, apart from 1846, 1856 and 1863 when the race was held in the opposite direction between Mortlake and Putney. Source: Training for The Boat Race starts in September of each year with many hopeful rowers being eliminated as the season progresses.

Sessions are rigorous – two or sometimes three times daily as well as gym and weight sessions; and that’s on top of a full day of studies! Three to four weeks prior to the race the crews will be announced to the press and public, accompanied by the official weigh-in – weights and heights of the crews are recorded and the speculation begins over which team has the advantage. The boat race is not just a man’s domain – the first women’s race took place in 1927 on the Isis in Oxford, with (according to The Times) “large and hostile crowds gathered on the towpath” as the men objected to women rowing. In the 1960’s the women’s race become a permanent fixture although it was rowed at Henley rather than Putney. This year, for the first time ever, the Newton Women’s Boat Race will take place on the same day and course as the men’s race.

2015 sees the 161st Boat Race scheduled for the 11th April with the following schedule: 1650 The Newton Women’s Boat Race 1720 Isis v Goldie Race 1750 The BNY Mellon Boat Race Cambridge currently leads the series with 81 victories to Oxford’s 79, with one dead-heat in 1877. Head down to the Putney Embankment on 11th April and you’ll see both the Elizabethan and Erasmus moored at Putney Pier, supporting the rowers. You can also join in the fun by settling into one of the many pubs along the Embankment. Share this:

Question: Which famous race takes place annually between Putney and Mortlake?
Answer: The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race