Here's everything you need to know about the big day. 

What is it?

The Boat Race is a free to attend annual rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

A 4.2-mile course between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames, it was first held in 1829 and is now broadcast worldwide.

Cambridge are the current champions having won the 2016 race and lead overall with 82 wins to Oxford’s 79.

All four races - the men’s, women’s, men’s reserves and women’s reserves - will take place on the same day for the second time in the event’s history.

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When are festivities kicking off?

There will be a market in Church Square starting at 11am with a range of drink stalls and street food, including pizza, Greek, Mexican and Spanish food, BBQ, craft ales, coffee, brownies and ice cream. Pimms and Prosecco will also be on offer in the St Mary’s Church grounds.

Festivities at Bishop’s Park, Fulham, and the Adnams Fan Park in Furnviall Gardens, Hammersmith, kick off at 12pm on Sunday, April 2, with big screens, bars, food and funfair attractions.

The pre-race coin tosses start at 2.45pm but the starting gun for the Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race doesn’t go off until 4.35pm followed by the men’s race at 5.35pm.

MORE: PICTURES: University Boat Races from past years

Will you need an umbrella?

Not likely as Sunday is set to be dry, fine and rather warm reaching highs of around 17 degrees according to the Met Office.

Getting about and parking

It’s not advisable to drive to Putney town centre as there is unlikely to be much on-street parking available, but bus and underground services will be running a normal Sunday service.

Parking bays in the area will be suspended starting at 9am so motorists who park cars there overnight on Saturday will need to move them ahead of this deadline. Vehicles left in parking bays after this time are likely to be towed away.

Sinkings

In 1912, both crews sank because of poor weather conditions. Cambridge sank in 1859 and 1987, while Oxford did in 1925 and 1951. 

Pubs and restaurants

The Eight Bells, 88 Fulham High Street - The race kicks off a one minute walk from here. Offers classic pub dining and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. 

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The Temperance, 90-90a Fulham High Street - Perfect to watch the race take off, have some drinks and pub grub

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Kings Arms, 425 New Kings Road, Fulham - Kitsch pub with your gran's furniture. Just two minutes from the start of the race. 

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The Coat and Badge, 8 Lacy Road, Putney - Lovely food, great outdoor area and a hop, skip and a jump from the river

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The Half Moon, 93 Lower Richmond Road - A 'Rock 'n' Role' pub with food and only a two minute walk from the Thames

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Hare and Hounds, 216 Upper Richmond Road - Come here for the lovely beer garden and pub grub- a 12 minute walk from the river

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The Sun Inn, 7 Church Road, Barnes - Ten minutes from the river, it's got a pond and its own bowling green

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The Bridge, 204 Castelnau, Barnes - A five minute walk from Hammersmith Bridge, nice eating area to dine al fresco 

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The Crabtree, Rainville Road, Fulham - Right on the river with a great beer garden 

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Old City Arms, 107 Hammersmith Bridge - closest pub to Hammersmith Bridge, ideally located for the second half of the race

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The Blue Anchor, 13 Lower Mall, Hammersmith - some of best views for the race with a good selection of pub grub

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The Dove, 19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith - Small area out the back looks right onto the river. Tasty food and very popular. 

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The Black Lion, 2 South Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith - Huge beer garden and offers a barbequeue on race day. 

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And there are lots of other options along the river you can take a stroll to. 

Full timetable

The Cancer Research UK Women’s Boat Race Toss: 14:45

Osiris Blondie Toss: 15:00

Isis Goldie Toss: 15:15

The Cancer Research UK Boat Race Toss: 15:30

Oxford & Cambridge Women’s Blue Boats Boat: 15:47 & 15:50  

BBC TV Goes Live: 16:00

Osiris & Blondie Boat: 16:02 & 16:05 

Isis & Goldie Boat: 16:17 & 16:20 

The Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race: 16:35

Oxford & Cambridge Blue Boats Boat: 16:47 & 16:50 

Osiris Blondie Race: 16:50

Isis Goldie Race: 17:05 

The Cancer Research UK Boat Race: 17:35