The boat race

A four-mile course, an army of watchers along the Thames and two fairly evenly matched teams.

This year's Oxford and Cambridge race (the 149th) promises an exciting finish and if you want one of the best vantage points you need to turn up early - diehards are there before noon.

The action starts at 4.30pm, with reserve teams taking to the water half-an-hour earlier. If you prefer to adjourn to a pub to enjoy the atmosphere there's a useful guide to the 14 riverside (or close) hostelries along the route between Putney and Mortlake at www.theboatrace.org.