Rowing: The BNY Mellon Boat Race

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames is one of the world's longest running sports events, and one of the most popular on the London sports calendar.

Come and join the fun on the banks of the Thames between Mortlake and Putney and cheer on the rowers.

As one of the few free sporting spectacles in London, The Boat Race creates a festival atmosphere on the banks of the River Thames. Up to 250,000 people flock to the river each year to join in the celebrations and watch the Oxford and Cambridge University crews as they race over the famous four-and-a-quarter mile course from Putney to Mortlake.

You can find a place to watch on either side of the river along the full length of the course, but particular areas to note are:

• Putney Bridge, Putney Embankment and Bishop's Park (at the start)
• Craven Cottage, home of Fulham FC (best for the first mile)
• Hammersmith and Barnes (mid-course)
• Duke's Meadows and Chiswick Bridge (at the finish)

About The Boat Race

The two university rowing teams first raced each other in 1829, and the race has been held annually since 1856, with the exception of the World Wars. It's said every member of the Boat Race crews trains for approximately two hours for every stroke they take. It takes about 600 strokes to complete the course.

In 2013, Oxford won the 159th Boat Race by 1 1/3 lengths in a time of 17 minutes and 28 seconds.