Why does The Boat Race start at 2.46pm and 3.46pm?

THE BOAT RACE is starting imminently – but many have been left confused by the strange start time of the iconic race.

Unlike other sporting events, which often start on round numbers, Cambridge vs Oxford has two rather peculiar start times this year.

GettyThe Boat Race has odd starting times compared to many sporting events[/caption]

Why does The Boat Race start at an odd time?

Last year, the Men’s Boat Race started at 4pm and the Women’s race at 3pm.

But while that would appear a more natural time to start, it has proven to be the exception rather than the rule.

The year before the races were at 2.23pm and 3.23pm and this year the Women’s race starts at 2.46pm and the Men’s race 3.46pm.

The precise start times are, in fact, due to the tides.

The Boat Race is rowed upstream and is timed to start on the incoming ‘flood’ tide.

The Men’s race is 90 minutes before high tide – and the Women’s race an hour before – so that the crews are racing with the fastest possible current.

The Boat Race course, known as the Championship Course, takes place on the River Thames launching at Putney Bridge and finishing at Chiswick Bridge.

It is 4 miles and 374 yards (or 6.8km) long with modern finishing times typically taking between 16 and 19 minutes.

The course was first used in 1845 and has been used for every Men’s race since, except on four occasions.

Three of those – in 1846, 1856 and 1863 – saw the race held in the opposite direction.

While the 2021 Boat Race was held in Ely, Cambridgeshire, due to Covid-19 and safety concerns related to Hammersmith Bridge.

The Boat Race will be aired on BBC One and live streamed for free on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Coverage starts from 2pm.

Alternatively, follow all the action with SunSport’s live blog.