The banks of the River Thames have been bustling all morning (Sunday) with the final preparations for the 151st Boat Race, which is sponsored for the first time this year by Xchanging.
Spectators have been arriving since early morning to select prime viewing positions for the four-and-a-quarter mile race, which begins at Putney Bridge and finishes at Mortlake.
Pubs, food stalls and souvenir sellers right along the route have been doing a roaring trade ahead of the 3.05pm start.
Spectators have come from all corners of the world, and range from Australians and South Africans keen to experience a British sporting tradition, to battle-hardened Oxford and Cambridge supporters ready to roar on their team.
The focus, for all but the most keen supporters, seems principally to be about having a good time.
James Cahill, an Oxford University student from Surrey, is attending for the second successive year and says: "I am not usually a big supporter of University events, but this is a bit different. Its a great occasion and a good excuse to get down, meet up with friends and enjoy the occasion."
His friend, Joe Eldridge from East Molesey in Surrey, adds: "Its just a fine social occasion. I am a rower myself, but nowhere near the standard of these guys. The teams put in an enormous amount of training ahead of the race and you have to respect that."
Bronwyn Dickson and Richard Nienaber, from Johannesburg, South Africa, only arrived in London one month ago but were keen to get a taste of the traditional Oxford v Cambridge clash.
"Some friends came last year and told us it was a great day out," said Bronwyn. "It is screened on the TV at home in South Africa so we have seen it on several occasions and it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss."
Sitting outside a pub on the Putney Embankment, a group of Australians on a working holiday were combining watching the race with some Easter Sunday relaxation.
"We decided to come down, have a few beers and watch the race," said Kristen Verwey, from Melbourne. "Weve decided to cheer for Cambridge as they seem to be the underdogs this year."
Loic Echaubard, from Brisbane but living in Putney, added: "Its a good opportunity to get down and support a local event and see the area thronging with people.
"Its a very British event and its a good to experience it first hand."
The Campbell family, attending from Earsfield in south west London with daughter Amelia, have a family-link with the race.
"My father rowed at Cambridge and my brother is also a keen rower, so I have been indoctrinated from a young age," said Louise Campbell. "We have always watched the event, either on TV or down here at the riverside. Its great to catch up with friends and watch the race."
A couple identifying themselves only as John and Kerry, from South Africa, were keen to sample all the tradition of the race, saying: "Its such a famous event, a real London tradition," they said. "We missed it last year so we are really looking forward to experiencing it this time around."
The 2005 Boat Race gets underway at 3.05pm today.