Held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames.

[5] The race was sponsored by Xchanging for the seventh consecutive year,[6] and it was the second time that the title had been given over to sponsorship.

[4] The Cambridge crew was "slightly heavier" than their opponents, weighing in at a ceremony at City Hall overseen by Boris Johnson at 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) more per rower than Oxford.

[11] Oxford's stroke, Simon Hislop, had recovered from testicular cancer in time to participate in the race.

[14] Despite falling slightly behind early on in the race, Cambridge rowed their way back into contention and umpire Rob Clegg was forced to warn both crews as the coxes steered towards one another.

At Hammersmith Bridge, the Oxford cox called for push, shouting "2003" to invoke memories of the narrowest margin of victory in the history of the event in the 2003 race.

[14] Passing St Paul's School, Oxford took the lead and steered across and in front of the Cambridge boat.