ROWERS recreated a “battle of the sexes” when men and women at an Oxford college competed in a 50-mile river race first run 30 years ago.

Students and alumni dipped their oars in the Thames from Henley to Oxford, pictured, to celebrate the anniversary of the novel eighties’ challenge.

In 1985 the ladies of St Anne’s College proposed an eights race against the men to raise money to build the St Anne’s Boathouse.

At the time 50 miles was the longest eights race ever rowed and the then principal Claire Palley encouraged the groups to take on the challenge, according to St Anne’s College.

The row, earlier this month, replicated the college’s 1985 landmark event with a team of 22 alumni and students taking it in turns to get their team from Henley to Oxford.

On the first day, the two boats of eight started off in Henley and worked their way along the river to Reading where crews changed over.

They continued to race towards Wallingford, stopping overnight before getting back on the water on Sunday.

Crews made their way to the finish – with a quick pit-stop in Abingdon for lunch and another changeover – before finishing up back at the college boathouse.

The Boat Club set a target of raising £25,000 from the event, which they hope to achieve in the coming weeks. The money will go towards funding a new women’s VIII rowing team.