A record number of runners raced through the streets of Oxford on Sunday for the annual Oxford Half Marathon.

Starting on Broad Street, near Trinity College, and ending on Park Road, the route took in much of Oxford’s stunning architecture with the nearly 13,000 runners enjoying live entertainment at various points throughout the course.

Oxford Mail: Oxford Half Marathon runners coming down Banbury Road

The race, which was started this year by BBC Radio Oxford breakfast presenter Sophie Law, has become one of the most popular half marathons in the UK, with large crowds providing support along the 13.1-mile route, and dozens of local volunteers helping on the day.

READ MORE: Oxford Half Marathon picture gallery

This year’s Oxford Half featured an elite field of runners and wheelchair racers, providing a key opportunity for many of these elite athletes to enhance their training and provide further race experience.

The men's race winner was Matthew Kearney, who completed the course in 1:06:31, whilst the first woman to cross the line was Steph McCall, who finished in 1:15:34.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail after the race, Ms McCall said: “This was my first time doing to Oxford half, and I loved it.

“We had perfect conditions; it was really nice and sunny but not too hot. I wasn’t expecting to come first, so that felt great.

“It was a peaceful course, and the crowds were so encouraging and lively, it was really great to hear.”

Matt Jackson, the second-placed male who finished in a time of 1:06:41, said: “It was a nice course, and the crowds made the day really. They were so lively and showed so much support.

“It was an incredible feeling to have come second, I really didn’t expect it.”

The top three wheelchair finishers were Tiaan Bosch, who crossed the finish line after 1:03:02, Gary Cooper, who finished in 1:06:24, and Joanna Robertson, who completed the course in 1:16:03.

Mr Bosch, from South Africa, said: “It’s a nice feeling. It was a tough course but I wanted to have fun, but I’m happy with the win.”

The full results are available here: bit.ly/3ZYdQGJ

Runners at this year’s event have already raised over £700,000 for a range of charities, including the events’ national charity partners Cancer Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Runners also raised vital funds for local charities including SSNAP, Special Effect, Helen & Douglas House, Oxfordshire Mind, Restore, Sobell House, Oxford Food Hub, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Oxford Hospitals Charity and Yellow Submarine.

Sunday also saw over 500 schoolchildren from 18 local schools complete their own half marathon as part of the popular Schools Challenge.

James Hogben, MD of LimeLight Sports, said: “This year we have been lucky enough to yet again see the huge positives that people can take from running and mass participation events.

"We saw elite runners and wheelchair racers combined with thousands of amateur runners and event schoolchildren all coming together for another brilliant event."

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1