The 15th edition of the Oxford Half took place on Sunday 11 October, an event which saw 15,000 participants register for this year’s half marathon.
The Oxford Half has cemented itself within the UK’s running calendar, becoming an autumn classic since its debut back in 2011. It continues to break records with the event selling out faster than ever and with more runners signing up than ever before.
The iconic race takes in several of the city’s landmarks, with the route steeped in Oxford’s character and unmatched charm. This year’s race followed the same route that debuted last year, now starting and finishing on Mansfield Road to reduce the impact of the event across the city and improve flow for spectators and runners alike.
More than twenty local and national charities partnered with the race, including Headline Charity Partner, Helen & Douglas House. Partner charities were present across the route and in the event village, chatting to visitors and raising awareness for their causes. Runners in this year’s race raised over £1.3m for official charity partners.
Oxford continues to be a popular option for runners with the fast and flat route, coupled with cooler October temperatures, making it a great option for new and experienced runners. It was an Oxfordshire double with Charlie Arnell winning the female race for a second year running while Alex Miell-Ingram improved on last year’s third place finish, topping the men’s standings this time around.
First Three Finishers – Female
1st – Charlie Arnell – 01:14:27
2nd – Bea Wood – 01:15:53
3rd – Laia Casajoana – 01:16:07
Top Three Finishers – Male
1st – Alex Miell-Ingram – 01:07:22
2nd – James Whittington – 01:07:45
3rd – Ian Allen – 01:08:03
Ian Allerton, Managing Director at Motiv Sports UK, said: “Oxford once again showed up to create an amazing atmosphere for everyone involved this weekend. It’s no surprise this event has not only reached the 15-year milestone but grown so much year on year. We’ve loved delivering the event over the years and look forward to many more.
“It’s been a brilliant weekend, it’s great to see so many people come together to celebrate the city, raise an incredible amount of money for charity and cheer on everyone who took part today.”
The Oxford Schools’ Challenge also took place, encouraging local children to stay active in the weeks beforehand by completing incremental runs totalling 12 miles. Over 1,000 pupils then came together to run the final 1.1 miles, crossing the finish line to complete their half marathon in front of a buzzing Oxford crowd.
Tickets for the 2027 Oxford Half go on sale shortly after this year’s race, with another quick sell-out expected. 2027 will also see the launch of the Cambridge x Oxford: The Half Marathon Challenge, with a limited number of tickets on sale that secure a place in both races.
The Cambridge Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 14 March followed by the Oxford Half on Sunday 10 October. Those who take on the challenge will receive an exclusive training t-shirt, race bib and two medals that combine into one to mark the achievement.
To find out more, visit: https://www.oxfordhalf.com/
