 The Boat Race is a side @-@ by @-@ side rowing competition between the University of Oxford ( sometimes referred to as the " Dark Blues " ) and the University of Cambridge ( sometimes referred to as the " Light Blues " ) . The race was first held in 1829 , and since 1845 has taken place on the 4 @.@ 2 @-@ mile ( 6 @.@ 8 km ) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London . The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities , and since the 21st century , is followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide . Oxford went into the race as reigning champions , having won the 1862 race by ten lengths , with Cambridge leading overall with ten victories to Oxford 's nine . 
