The Boat Race 1863

20th Boat Race
Date28 March 1863 (1863-03-28)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory15 lengths
Winning time23 minutes 6 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)
10–10
UmpireJoseph William Chitty
(Oxford)

The 20th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 28 March 1863. Oxford won by 15 lengths in a time of 23 minutes 6 seconds. It took the overall record to ten wins each, the first time since the 1836 race that the scores were level. The race was the third to be held on the ebb tide, along the Championship Course in reverse, from Mortlake to Putney. It was the first time since the race was held in the fashion since the 1856 race.