London  - Oxford lived up to their status of favourites Sunday by beating Cambridge by three lengths in the 155th Boat Race on the Thames.

The Oxford team, winners in 2008, consisted of five rowers who competed at last year's Beijing Olympics and was the heaviest crew in the event's history with an average weight of 99.7 kilograms per man.

Tens of thousands of spectators watched the race as the boats made their way along the 6.8-kilometre stretch of water from Putney to Mortlake.

Oxford have now won four of the last five races against Cambridge, who still lead their university rivals with a total victory count of 79 to 75 victories. The first Boat Race took place in 1829. dpa