 The 48th Boat Race took place on 21 March 1891 . The Boat Race is an annual side @-@ by @-@ side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames . Oxford went into the race leading 24 – 22 in the event overall . In total , eight rowers who were participating had previous Boat Race experience . Umpired by former Oxford rower Frank Willan , pre @-@ race favourites Oxford won by half @-@ a @-@ length in a time of 21 minutes 48 seconds . It was Oxford 's narrowest winning margin since the 1867 race . 
