The Boat Race, officially titled the “CHANEL J12 Boat Race” in 2025, is one of the most iconic fixtures in global sport. This historic rowing showdown between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge has captivated audiences for nearly two centuries.
This year, the event marked the 170th Men’s Boat Race and the 79th edition of the Women’s race. The men’s competition was first held in 1829 after a challenge between former classmates Charles Merivale of Cambridge and Charles Wordsworth of Oxford. Oxford won that inaugural race, but it wasn’t until 1836 that a second contest was arranged. From 1856, it became an annual fixture—paused only for the two World Wars and once more in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Women’s Boat Race began in 1927 and became a regular event from 1964. Since 2015, it has been held on the same day and course as the men’s event, cementing its status as an equally integral part of the tradition.
The 2025 races were held yesterday (13 April) along the 6.84-kilometre stretch of the Thames known as the Championship Course, running between Putney and Mortlake. This twisting route demands not only power and stamina but tactical intelligence, with the river’s changing currents and distinctive bends playing a critical role in how the race unfolds. Over 250,000 spectators lined the banks this year, while millions more tuned in via broadcast, underscoring the race’s stature in the sporting calendar.
Rowing crews are made up of students balancing intense academic schedules with the physical demands of elite-level training. Some are Olympic medallists; others are athletes who picked up an oar for the first time at university.
Results
Men’s race results
The men’s race was delayed briefly due to debris on the course. Once underway, Cambridge struck early, establishing a clear lead before the halfway mark. With strong rhythm and clean blades, they pulled away from an Oxford crew that featured three Olympians, eventually winning in 16:56, a full 5½ boat lengths ahead. It was a resounding performance, building on their recent victories in 2023 (18:18, by 1⅓ lengths) and 2024 (18:56, by 1½ lengths). The last Oxford men’s win was in 2022, when they clocked a time of 16:42 and finished 2¼ lengths ahead.
Women’s race results
The women’s race was even more eventful. After a controversial move by the Oxford cox resulted in clashing oars, the race was restarted—the first time since 2012. The restart gave Cambridge a one-third length advantage. They made full use of it, rowing cleanly and powerfully to a victory in 19:25, ahead by 2½ lengths. The victory marked Cambridge’s eighth consecutive win in the Women’s Boat Race, affirming their dominant position since their last loss in 2016.
The Thames
Beyond the racing, growing attention is being paid to the condition of the Thames itself. Once biologically dead, the river has come a long way in terms of rehabilitation—but serious concerns remain. In 2024, rowers from both universities reported health symptoms believed to be linked to exposure to polluted water. Recent testing revealed elevated levels of bacteria, prompting fresh scrutiny and raising questions about the long-term safety of training and competing on the Thames.
In response, the Boat Race Company and participating universities have increased their advocacy for environmental responsibility. Both crews have signed the London Rivers’ Pledge, calling for better treatment of urban waterways. Central to these efforts is the Thames Tideway Tunnel—a £4.3 billion “super sewer” under construction, designed to intercept raw sewage before it can enter the river. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce sewage overflow into the Thames by up to 95%, offering a significant improvement in water quality.
The Boat Race remains a collision of tradition, sport, and symbolism. It’s about two old institutions pushing themselves to the limit—but it’s also about the future of rowing on a river that must remain safe and healthy. The Thames is both battleground and barometer, revealing not only who wins but how we treat our natural environments.
