 Historically, this is raced on the Thursday and Friday after the end of Michaelmas term, Thursday being the novice races and Friday being the senior races.The course has changed over years due to closures for bridge repairs and extreme weather conditions, but in 1990 the start line was made to be Jesus Boathouse Flagpole with the finish at the Little Bridge, some 4.3 km downstream (although the novices race a shorter race, finishing at the railings).The Fairbairn Cup title is awarded to the fastest finishing college men's VIII (the cup itself is now again presented, having been lost for a period but found again in 2015).