 The 66th Boat Race took place on 3 April 1909 . Held annually , the Boat Race is a side @-@ by @-@ side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames . Cambridge were reigning champions , having won the previous year 's race , while Oxford 's heavier crew contained three Olympic gold medallists . In a race umpired by Frederick I. Pitman , Oxford won by three @-@ and @-@ a @-@ half lengths in a time of 19 minutes 50 seconds . It was their first win in four races and took the overall record to 35 – 30 in their favour . 
