<P> The course is 4 miles and 374 yards ( 6.779 km ) from Putney to Mortlake , passing Hammersmith and Barnes ; it is sometimes referred to as the Championship Course , and follows an S shape , east to west . The start and finish are marked by the University Boat Race Stones on the south bank . The clubs ' presidents toss a coin ( the 1829 sovereign ) before the race for the right to choose which side of the river ( station ) they will row on : their decision is based on the day 's weather conditions and how the various bends in the course might favour their crew 's pace . The north station ( ' Middlesex ' ) has the advantage of the first and last bends , and the south ( ' Surrey ' ) station the longer middle bend . </P>
<P> The course is 4 miles and 374 yards ( 6.779 km ) from Putney to Mortlake , passing Hammersmith and Barnes ; it is sometimes referred to as the Championship Course , and follows an S shape , east to west . The start and finish are marked by the University Boat Race Stones on the south bank . The clubs ' presidents toss a coin ( the 1829 sovereign ) before the race for the right to choose which side of the river ( station ) they will row on : their decision is based on the day 's weather conditions and how the various bends in the course might favour their crew 's pace . The north station ( ' Middlesex ' ) has the advantage of the first and last bends , and the south ( ' Surrey ' ) station the longer middle bend . </P>
the boat race course between putney and mortlake
the boat race course between putney and mortlake
4 miles and 374 yards ( 6.779 km ) from Putney to Mortlake , passing Hammersmith and Barnes
4 miles and 374 yards ( 6.779 km ) from Putney to Mortlake , passing Hammersmith and Barnes