University Boat Race Stones 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 Race, Head of the River Race and other races. The stones are
The Boat Race 1864 of Putney Bridge in order to reduce interruptions to the race from steamers. Indeed, both boat club presidents had issued a caution to the steamer captains, indicating that the race would be conducted on the ebb tide should any interruption take place which would risk the steamers becoming grounded at Mortlake. The finish was moved the corresponding distance upstream to maintain the traditional length of the race. Oxford rowed in the same boat as the previous race, which was constructed by J. and S. Salter while Cambridge utilised a new vessel built for them by Taylor of Newcastle. Oxford were