As of 2015 the race takes place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course, between Putney and Mortlake on the Thames in south-west London.

[3] The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities; it is followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide.

[4][5] Four unofficial boat races were held during the Second World War, both on the Thames and the Great Ouse in Ely.

[6] The first race, held in 1829, took place on a 2+1⁄4-mile (3.6 km) stretch of the Thames between Hambleden Lock and Henley Bridge.

Oxford were victorious as the Light Blues were disqualified, the only time that event that the race was decided in such a manner.

Another hiatus, this time six years long, was caused by the Second World War, after which the Light Blues won five of the next six races.

Oxford won seventeen of the next nineteen years, and were just a single victory behind after the 1992 race, the overall record 69–68 in Cambridge's favour.

Their dominance faded, and the Dark Blues sealed victory in the 2000 race to trail overall by seven wins, 76–69.

When the boats came up to Crabtree Tavern, Cambridge made for the Surrey side just as Oxford were about to overhaul them.

[15] During the Second World War, four races were organised at various locations, although full Blues were not awarded to the participants.

In 1943, a race took place at Sandford-on-Thames in front of a crowd estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000, where Oxford's experience of the course helped them to a narrow win.

[16] The following year, the contest was held at the Adelaide course in Ely, with Oxford winning, this time by three-quarters of a length.

Umpire John Garrett had warned Isis for being out of their water, when a further blade clash resulted in the Goldie no.