Today an annual sporting event takes place that is just one race between only two teams and lasts only about 17 minutes, and yet thousands of people will come from miles around to watch it, suffering the often inclement weather of the season to do so. What’s more thousands more will watch the BBC live coverage.
What is it? The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race or just ‘the boat race’. The two oldest & most prestigous universities in Britain have been challenging each other (last years’ loser always puts down the challenge) to a boat race on the Thames for 156 years.
I recall as a child being taken to see this race. I chose the dark blue rossette to wear (Oxford colours) because I liked the colour, but I swapped half way through when the light blues (Cambridge) were winning.
Why is it such a big deal? Who knows! Just one of those quintessentially British traditions.
