People lining the banks of the river on April 11 to watch the annual Oxford v Cambridge boat race will be able to enjoy not one, but two races.

Sporting history is being made with the women’s boat race - the Oxford v Cambridge Newton Women’s Boat Race to give it its full title - joining the men's Oxford v Cambridge BNY Mellon Boat Race for the first time.

First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, the boat races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world and two of the best places to enjoy the action are Bishop’s Park in Fulham, and Furnivall Gardens in Hammersmith.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be hosting two family-friendly Boat Race in the Park events, where revellers can catch all the action on giant screens for free, accompanied by beer tents and food.

Both events take place from noon to 6.30pm, with the women’s race starting at 4.50pm and the men’s race at 5.50pm.

" The Boat Race is one of the highlights of the nation’s sporting calendar," says Stephen Cowan, Leader of H&F Council. " “This year’s event is likely to be another thrilling spectacle, especially with the inclusion of the women's Race, so get down to one of the borough’s two fantastic parks for the best view of the action."

Bishop's Park is at the start of the races and Furnivall Gardens takes in the middle of the course where the races will start to heat up as the crews emerge from under Hammersmith Bridge.

The first Boat Race took place in 1829 after Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race on the Thames. The modern race still runs along the same lines and has now become a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world.

On race day up to 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames to witness the action.
Oxford won last year’s race by just over a length in a time of 17 minutes 28 seconds. However, Cambridge lead the overall series by 81 wins to 77, with the sides drawing in a dead heat once in the 1800s.

On the Women’s side Oxford were also victorious last year, but still trail Cambridge who lead the overall contest 40 to 29.

For more details about The Boat Races, visit the website. You can also call H&F Council’s events team on 020 8753 2135 or email: events@lbhf.gov.uk.

Crews for the 2015 Oxford v Cambridge Boat Races

March 20, 2015