Boat Race 2024: Who are the coxes for Oxford and Cambridge?

Cambridge won both the men’s and women’s Boat Races in 2023

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 30 March 2024 15:15 GMT
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The cox is a crucial part
The cox is a crucial part (Getty Images)

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One of British sport’s longest-running annual events, the Boat Race returns in 2024 with the best rowers at Oxford and Cambridge doing battle in London.

Men’s and women’s crews will pilot their boats through the 6.8km course along the River Thames, with Cambridge hoping to follow up a clean sweep last year and extend their advantage in both series.

Fans are expected to line the riverbanks and provide plenty of support across the day of rowing, with bragging rights on the line for another year.

Four strong octets have been named for the feature races, with the quartet of coxes set to be key, too.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the Boat Race?

The 2024 Boat Race will take place on Saturday 30 March along the River Thames in London.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 2pm GMT. A livestream will be available via the iPlayer.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

What does the cox do?

Officially the coxswain, the ninth member of an eights boat is the only member who does not row. Instead, they sit facing forward towards the bow and steer the boat, ensuring that it remains on course and does not run into danger. They also coordinate the rhythm of the rowers.

The cox can be either male or female, with British Rowing’s minimum weight 55kg for men’s races and 50kg for women’s races. It is tradition that the winning Boat Race cox is thrown into the Thames by the rest of their team.

Who are the coxes for Oxford and Cambridge in 2024?

Oxford: Joe Gellett (women), William Denegri (men)

Cambridge: Hannah Murphy (women), Ed Bracey (men)

Who are the blue boat crews?

WOMEN

Oxford WomenCambridge Women
Coached by Allan FrenchCoached by Paddy Ryan
Sarah Marshall (bow)Gemma King (bow)
Ella Stadler (President)Jo Matthews
Tessa HainingClare Hole
Claire AitkenJenna Armstrong (President)
Julia LindsayCarina Graf
Annie SharpCarys Earl
Lucy EdmundsIris Powell
Annie Anezakis (stroke)Megan Lee (stroke)
Joe Gellett (cox)Hannah Murphy (cox)

MEN

Oxford MenCambridge Men
Coached by Sean BowdenCoached by Rob Baker
Saxon Stacey (bow)Sebastien Benzecry (bow, President)
Harry GlenisterNoam Mouelle
Jelmer BennemaThomas Marsh
James DoranAugustus John
Elias KunKenneth Coplan
Frederick RoperThomas Lynch
Leonard JenkinsLuca Ferraro
Elliot Kemp (stroke)Matt Edge (stroke)
William Denegri (cox)Ed Bracey (cox)

What is the course?

The Boat Race course, known as the Championship Course, is four miles and 374 yards (6.8 km) long. It stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in south west London.

The race is rowed upstream, but starts during the incoming tide to ensure that crews are rowing with the fast stream.

What time are the Boat Races and what is the full schedule?

The two marquee races begin at 2.46pm GMT and 3.46pm GMT respectively

Time (GMT)Event
10:00River closes – Preliminary road closures in place. Hammersmith Bridge closes to cyclists and pedestrians
10:15Festival of Rowing starts in Mortlake
11:00Fan Zones open – Fulham and Hammersmith
11:30Festival of Rowing Arrives in Putney
11:30Festival of Rowing ends in Mortlake
12:40Women’s Boat Race coin toss (Putney Embankment)
13:00Final road closures in place
13:15The Men’s Boat Race coin toss (Putney Embankment)
14:00BBC broadcast starts
14:4678th Women’s Boat Race
15:01Osiris v Blondie Race
15:16Isis v Goldie Boat Race
15:46169th Men’s Boat Race
16:15Women’s winning crew trophy presentation (Mortlake)
16:20Men’s winning crew trophy presentation (Mortlake)
16:25Women’s Boat Race Cox and Men’s Boat Race cox toss (Mortlake)
16:30BBC Broadcast Ends
17:00Hammersmith Bridge Opens to Cyclists and Pedestrians.
17:30River Opens
18:00Fan Zones at Fulham and Hammersmith close

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