The Boat Race 1879

In a race umpired by former Oxford rower Joseph William Chitty, Cambridge led all the way, and won by a margin of three lengths in a time of 21 minutes 18 seconds.

[10] Oxford's crew contained four former Blues, including H. P. Marriott who was rowing in his fifth consecutive Boat Race.

[11] The Cambridge crew included the only non-British participant in the race, Australian rower Charles Fairbairn.

[12] Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge.

Despite a lower stroke rate, the Light Blues had extended their lead to three lengths by Hammersmith Bridge.