MUSICIANS from across Oxfordshire have been invited to drum up support for charity and motivate almost 7,000 runners for the Oxford Half Marathon.

For the third year running, bands will line the route and spur participants on as they pound the 13.1-mile course on October 12.

At the end of the race every runner will be able to vote for their favourite in a battle of the bands- style contest, which will see the winner handed a cheque for £500.

Battle of the bands organiser Dave Box said it was a chance for bands to showcase their talent and support charities and thousands of runners.

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He said: “We have had a lot of interest.

“We are looking for bands which are diverse and it is not just bands, we are looking at jazz, singers, choirs, even drumming bands.

“It is hard work for the runners raising funds for charity and the bands along the way are uplifting for them and it makes a carnival atmosphere.

“It involves everyone – we want the bands to feel they are part of the biggest mass participation events in the area.”

Jazz musician Bronwyn Leonard, from Stanford-in-the-Vale, won the event last year with guitarist Frank Widdowson-Ilett .

She said playing at the event had boosted her profile.

She said: “I thought I would give it a go. It is a good way of playing music and I take any opportunity.

“I put all my effort into it last year so I was hoping for the best and it was great to win.

“The runners voted for us, it was pretty motivational.

“We would cheer for them and they returned that which was really nice.

“Playing definitely boosted our profile – I would enter again definitely.”

About six or seven bands will be chosen from hopefuls to play at the event and those selected will have a chance to hear their songs played on local radio.

Race director Andrew Taylor said: “We know how important a good atmosphere is on race day, and not just in the race village but right around the 13.1 miles of the course.

“Music is always a favourite with runners and spectators alike as it tends to create a real carnival atmosphere and spurs our entrants on right to the finish line.”

  • To enter bands must have their own instruments and be able to play music deemed as suitable for running.

The band or group leader must be at least 18 and should send an email with their details and ideally a short video or link of online footage to oxfordhalf@gmail.com or call Dave Box on 07816 847028.


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