Your guide to the 2025 Boat Race

"I can't see who's in the lead but it's either Oxford or Cambridge" - John Snagge, Boat Race commentator in 1949.

Considered one of the world's oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, the Boat Race captures the famous rivalry between the UK's two oldest universities.

In the build-up to Sunday's race, BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team take a look at its history, the rivalry, who has won more and how you can watch.

The men's race first took place in 1829 having been instigated by old school friends Charles Merivale (Cambridge) and Charles Wordsworth (Oxford).

Oxford won the inaugural event, but there was no attempt to organise a rematch until five years later. The second race - won by Cambridge - was eventually scheduled in 1836, and became an annual event from 1856.

The women's race started in 1927, and became an annual event from 1964. It has been run on the same day and course as the men's race since 2015.

This year marks the 170th race for the men's crews and the 79th edition of the women's race.

The only occasions official races didn't take place were during World War One and World War Two, and during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

2025 Boat Race

Sunday, 13 April from 12:20 BST

The course is four miles, 374 yards (or 6.8 km) long and stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames.

The current course was first used in 1845, but in 1846, 1856 and 1863 it was run in the opposite direction.

The 2021 race took place on the Great Ouse near Ely because of Covid-19 restrictions and safety concerns.

Organisers have said the Thames' water quality is an 'ongoing concern' before Sunday's race.

'No love lost', 'the needle', and 'a 200-year-old grudge match on water' are all phrases used to describe the rivalry between the two universities, which are collectively known as Oxbridge.

This year, tension between the sides has brewed over the banning of PGCE students from competing.

The rule - which has been in place for 12 years - excluded Olympic gold medallist Tom Ford from the race and led to the abandonment of a trial run between the two clubs four days before the main event.

The latest controversy adds to a list which includes sinkings, crashes, mutinies, and the controversial 1877 dead heat, when the result was decided in court.

The result led to finishing posts being introduced the following year.

Cambridge have won the most men's races so far - leading 87-81 - and are aiming for a third successive victory.

The women's race has been won 48 times by Cambridge, who have dominated since 2017. Oxford have won 30 times.

Some famous names have competed down the years.

Blackadder and House actor Hugh Laurie was in the 1980 Cambridge crew, while historian Dan Snow was in the Oxford boat from 1999-2001.

Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent rowed for the winning Oxford crew in 1990 and 1991.

Another record was broken in 2019, as 46-year-old former Olympian James Cracknell became the oldest member of a Boat Race crew.

He rowed for Cambridge, where he was reading Human Evolutionary Studies. Their victory also made him the oldest winner.

Watch live coverage of the Boat Race on Sunday, 13 April from 12:20 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website.

13:21 - Women's Boat Race

13:36 - Women's Reserve Race

13:51 - Men's Reserve Race

14:21 - Men's Boat Race

Oxford: Tom Sharrock, William O'Connell, Felix Rawlinson, Jamie Doran, Tassilo von Mueller, Tom Mackintosh, Nick Rusher, Nicholas Kohl, Tobias Bernard (cox)

Cambridge: Luca Ferraro, Noam Mouelle, Luke Beever, Gabriel Mahler, George Bourne, James Robson, Simon Hatcher, Douwe de Graaf, Ollie Boyne (cox)

Umpire: Sarah Winckless

Oxford: Sarah Polson, Lilli Freischem, Tessa Haining, Alexia Lowe, Sarah Marshall, Annie Anezakis, Kyra Delray, Heidi Long, Daniel Orton (cox)

Cambridge: Katy Hempson, Gemma King, Carys Earl, Annie Wertheimer, Sophia Hahn, Claire Collins, Tash Morrice, Samantha Morton, Jack Nicholas (cox)

Umpire: Sir Matthew Pinsent