Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest
and most famous universities in Britain,
and there has always been a great rivalry
between the two institutions.
But the most public competition between the two
is the annual Boat Race.
The 2006 Boat Race will take place on 2nd April,
and will be the 152nd race of its kind.
Both universities are located near rivers,
and rowing is a popular and prestigious sport.
The very first race took place in 1829,
when a Cambridge student challenged a school-friend studying at Oxford.
Ever since, the defeated team from the previous year
challenges the opposition to a rematch.
The only times when no Boat Races took place
were during the First and Second World Wars.