Here's all the action in pictures..


Boat race sign Advance warning of the impending merry-making, and boat race. We start our day by the river at Hammersmith Bridge, which is around the half-way point on the course.



Morris Dancers at Hammersmith Bridge
The gathering crowds at Hammersmith Bridge are entertained by traditional morris dancers. Although the annual university boat race is often seen as a typical English affair, the crews of both university boats have a strong international mix. This year, the Oxford boat has a few other Europeans in it - a Pole, a Dutchman and a Croat. Meanwhile, the Cambridge boat seems more of a Commonwealth-only affair - the other rowers being American, Australian and Canadian.

Barnes Bridge
We head to Barnes bridge, further upstream towards the finishing point. You can tell the start of the big race is a couple of hours away as the tide has yet to come in!


Oldboats
One of the river races preceding the big showdown, seen along the way.


River race scene
And, in this one, there's more than two boats racing!


Close up of boat Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream...


The finishing post at Chiswick Bridge The finishing post at Chiswick bridge- Dark blue colour markings signify Oxford (that being the university's colour); and light blue, Cambridge.


Crowds at the finishing line
Crowds opposite the finishing point - conveniently, there is a pub there too.


Oxford first to appear
After much anticipation waiting at the finishing line, a boat appears from around the corner - and it's Oxford. Having been behind after the start, they retook the lead and have pulled away. They look like they are still going strong..


and the rest of the flotilla
And then the Cambridge boat follows, with a small armada of other boats in its wake.


Oxford all the way
It's Oxford all the way...


Oxford win 155th boat race
And Oxford win by three and half lengths (of a boat), taking 17 minutes to complete the 4 miles 375 yards (6.78km) from Putney to Chiswick Bridge. This brings their total tally of wins to 75, but...


Cambridge finish gutted
Whilst the Cambridge crew cross the line feeling gutted, they may take some consolation from the fact that Cambridge still leads the series overall with a total of 79 wins.


Oxford celebrate
All the same, Oxford seem to be on a winning streak, having won 4 times in the last 5 years. So, if they keep it up, they may have more even more cause to celebrate!

(Photos by Charles Morgan)