On 16 March 2020, it was announced that the event was cancelled as a result of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic and followed Boris Johnson's announcement that all non-essential travel should be avoided. Other than as a result of war, it was the first time the men's race has been cancelled since it has taken place annually from 1845. It was also the first cancellation of the women's race since its 1964 revival. Robert Gillespie, Chairman of The Boat Race Company Limited, said that it "was not an easy decision", and added that "the public good far outweighs all other considerations". Instead of the race, members of the CUWBC squad participated in Row Britannia, an indoor rowing challenge to raise money for charity. Mixed teams of 8 participants representing Oxford and Cambridge, including Olympic and Paralympic rowers, contested a 6.8km virtual boat race on 13 June 2020, with individual rowers from each team completing 500m on an ergometer in relays, to raise funds for the charity Power2Inspire.Virtual boat race, theboatrace.org, 11 June 2020Oxford and Cambridge teams to compete in virtual charity Boat Race, Row360, 11 June 2020Virtual Boat Race: Cambridge win as teams compete on machines at home, BBC News, 13 June 2020
