THEY are two rival cities who have slugged out for centuries. When it comes to Edinburgh and Glasgow, the cities seem to see everything as a source of competition: salt and sauce versus salt and vinegar, high culture versus clubbing; and even trams versus the subway. But for the University rowing teams gathered outside Glasgow's Riverside Transport Museum yesterday on a windy Saturday, the rivalry was about one thing only: who can win the Scottish Boat Race.

The Edinburgh-Glasgow race - one of the oldest University boat races in the world - held its 139th meet on a choppy River Clyde, with University teams from the two cities pitched against each other across eight races.

Defending champions Edinburgh University ultimately took the over-all trophy after winning more of the races, which included beginners, alumni and senior men and women.

Outside the Riverside Museum yesterday lunchtime though, the fight was very much on from the get-go.

Outdated only by the famous Oxford v Cambridge boat race and the Yale-Harvard Regatta, tradition was very much in evidence with Edinburgh University Boat Club blue striped blazers, and the black, white and yellow Glasgow University equivalents in evidence, teamed with boat shoes. Those racing soon replaced traditional garb though for Lycra and flip flips - though tracksuit tops, with collars turned-up against the wind, remained firmly on for as long as possible.

Charlie Thompson, 22, president of the Edinburgh University Boat Club – the favourites – admitted that there was a big rivalry between the two teams with Edinburgh determined to hold on to a title that they had defended since 2013, creating their own winning streak after being defeated by Glasgow for many years previous.

Thompson, who did not compete this year, said: "It's always held in Glasgow because of course we don't have our own stretch of water but that's another facet of the bragging rights that we can just rock up to their home town and take the trophy from them.

"Rowing involves a lot of work - it's lung busting. The bottom line is that it is really painful and it's all about testing ourselves. At the end of it one of two will be crying and someone is always sick.

"This is a pain contest and whoever wins has to be tough. We have to be confident in ourselves and our team mates out on the water. This is about competition. And it's about winning."

Meanwhile Glasgow University Club Captain Calum Williamson, 21, who was warming up before his race – which covers just over 2km starting at the Squinty Bridge and ending at the Tall Ship – insisted that despite fierce rivalry he was relaxed.

"There's no point in being nervous," he said. "The pressure is on the defending champions to hold on to the title. But there is a big rivalry. It's always been like that, I think.

"The atmosphere here is different than it is at any other race because it's one-on-one. But at the end of it all we'll all go and have dinner together and friendships from both sides are made for life."

Waiting to enter their eight-man boat, the women from the Glasgow University Alumni team are full of smiles and happy banter. For the graduates the race represents a great chance for a reunion and a happy reminder of what used to be the highlight of their university year.

When asked if the competition matters there is fierce agreement. "Yup," they chorus, heads furiously nodding. "We still want to beat Edinburgh," said Jessica Lee, 25, a sports scientist turned trainee-paramedic. "It can get quite tense."

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh University teams had a wealth of rowing talent in their teams, with Edinburgh’s Maddie Arlett and Glasgow’s Imogen Walsh part of the Olympic Team GB, while Robyn Hart-Winks of Edinburgh is the World Champion for Lightweight Women’s Indoor Rowing.

Arlett, 21, who is originally from the Scottish Borders and is now studying Sports Science at the University of Edinburgh, had never rowed before arriving in Edinburgh. Last year, though, she was part of the GB team competing in the World Under-23 Rowing Championships in Bulgaria.

Now she has lots of experience of racing at world class level, she admits that the Edinburgh Glasgow race is less intimating than it once was. "But it's still exciting," she insisted. "It's still nerve racking on the starting line. I know a few of the girls in the other boat and you're trying to not look round. I think all the tradition that comes with it is awesome. And though there is fierce rivalry but at the end of it we all come together for the Boat Ball. It's quite a special event."

As the boats zip along the Clyde, the crowds of onlookers are clear what this race is all about as the shouts go up: "Come on, Glasgow", "Go, Edinburgh".

The Women’s race captained by Glasgow University's Claire Aitken was a close run thing; crossing the line just two feet in front of their rivals. But in the men's race Edinburgh University Captain Calum Irvine clearly triumphed, crossing the finish line by a full six lengths.

Irvine said: "It was a hard fought race with Glasgow and a few blade clashes at the start which shows just how tough it was. It was the best Glasgow team we’ve come up against, a truly fantastic race."