University Boat Race Stones marked "U.B.R" for University Boat Race. The coordinates for the stones are: University Boat Race Stones The University Boat Race Stones are two small stone markers on the southern bank of the River Thames in west London, one 129m upstream of Putney Bridge and the other at Mortlake, 112m downstream of Chiswick Bridge. The stones define the start and finish points of the Championship Course (4 miles and 374 yards (6,779 m) from Putney to Mortlake, as measured along the centre of the river). The course is used for rowing races including the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, Women's Boat
James Renforth several local regattas, which paid smaller prize money. His career took a marked upward turn when he entered for a sculling race at the Thames Regatta in 1868. Renforth won the race, beating Harry Kelley amongst others and received a £90 prize. Tyne crews also won the fours and pairs at the same regatta. Renforth's victory at the Thames Regatta had catapulted him into prominence as a sculler. Kelley was the current World Sculling Champion and Renforth was the obvious contender, so a match was arranged between the two men. The race was to be over the Putney to Mortlake