 The 27th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on the 6 April 1870 . Cambridge won by one @-@ and @-@ a @-@ half lengths in a time of 22 minutes 4 seconds , their first victory since the 1860 race . The Boat Race is a side @-@ by @-@ side rowing race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge . It is usually held on the River Thames in London . It is a @-@ race , with the crews racing in the same direction . The race is approximately 4 miles (6. sierpni 