The Boat Race 1881

38th Boat Race
Date8 April 1881 (1881-04-08)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory3 lengths
Winning time21 minutes 51 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)
17–20
UmpireRobert Lewis-Lloyd
(Cambridge)

The 38th Boat Race, an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames, took place on 8 April 1881. In a race umpired by Robert Lewis-Lloyd, Oxford won by a margin of three lengths in a time of 21 minutes 51 seconds taking the overall record to 20–17 in their favour.