Overview

• The 2025 Boat Race marks the 10th anniversary of gender parity, with women competing on the same course and receiving equal billing as men.
• Controversies over eligibility rules, including bans on PGCE students and the 12-year rule, have heightened tensions between Oxford and Cambridge teams.
• Thames water pollution remains a significant issue, with E. coli levels reported at nearly three times above safety thresholds, raising health concerns for competitors.
• Oxford's men's team, featuring several Olympians, is favored to win according to betting odds, while Cambridge remains dominant in the women's race despite recent setbacks.
• The evolving composition of crews, with more international and postgraduate athletes, continues to challenge the traditional undergraduate focus of the historic event.