 Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station , handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge . In an " unpleasant drizzle " , the umpire Burnell started the race at 12 : 30 p.m. The Light Blues made a " smoother start " but were marginally out @-@ rated by Oxford who held a one @-@ third length lead after a minute . They extended their lead to two @-@ thirds of a length by Craven Steps but the bend in the river favoured Cambridge , and their lead was halved . By the Mile Post , the Dark Blues led by the length of a canvas . 
