The famous and historic London rowing contest between the UK’s oldest two universities returns for its 170th edition on Sunday April 13, when crews from Oxford and Cambridge go head-to-head in eight-oared rowing boats across the Thames.
Beginning in 1829 for chaps and 1927 for ladies, the annual fixture now attracts around 250,000 spectators to south-west London every year. The four-and-a-quarter mile course runs along the Thames from Putney Bridge to Mortlake and takes around 16 to 18 minutes (Cambridge holds the course record of 16 minutes 19 seconds, set in 1998).
The women’s race is usually up first, followed by the men’s race an hour later.
Spectators can watch the BBC’s coverage of the race large screens at two riverside Fan Zones in Hammersmith and Fulham, where they’ll also find covered seating, street food vendors, bars and toilet facilities.
Putney Bridge, Hammersmith and Kew Gardens tube stations will all be in use on the day, as will Putney, Barnes Bridge, Mortlake or Chiswick rail stations, while Putney Embankment, Thames Bank, Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge will be closed to vehicles for much of the day.