The hugely popular race took runners through some of the most beautiful places in the city of dreaming spires; including the iconic Clarendon Building, the charming village of Old Marston and past the stunning Radcliffe Camera in the city centre.
The 2017 Oxford Half Marathon fastest male was won by Joe Morwood, fastest female winner was Kim Horner and wheelchair athlete winner was Gary Cooper with times of 01:07:52, 01:18:34 and 01:09:24 respectively.
There was entertainment for all with Oxfordshire bands and DJ’s such as Mama Brass, DJ G, and the Oxford Half Marathon Battle of the Bands winner Samuel Edward, playing to the runners and cheering crowds along the route.
Virgin Sport CEO Mary Wittenberg commented: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Virgin Sport Oxford Half Marathon this year with record entries of over 10,000 participants registered. Everybody in the community has been so supportive of what we’re trying to achieve and we feel like everybody has really embodied the Virgin Sport spirit.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without assistance from a number of community groups, charities and local running clubs, so the fact that they’re all so willing to be involved is incredible”.
Virgin Sport had nearly 400 people taking part in the school’s challenge, involving 11 schools across the county. Furthermore, around 500 people ran for charities including Sobell House, Helen and Douglas House and Cancer Research UK.
The event had 3 times as many pacers as last year in order to cater to all abilities including: walk/jog, joggy and joggier – from running clubs across Oxfordshire including Headington Road Runners, Abington Athletic Club and Whitney Road Runners.
Alongside the massive turn out from the local community, many of the local businesses supported the event too, offering special deals for runners who presented their medal, including The Cherwell Boat House and The Bear Inn. Some even opened specially on Sunday to take advantage of the increased footfall.
Virgin Sport has continued their partnership with the Youth Sport Trust to leave a legacy within the local community.
Virgin Sport and Youth Sport Trust are passionate about enhancing the lives of all young people by providing better access to physical education, physical activity, and sport. Virgin Sport Co-Founder Freddie Andrewes said: “Through our partnership with Youth Sport Trust we identify and invest into local programmes that use sport and physical activity to create positive social impact.
“Thanks to the generosity of our participants, their donations will go towards expanding the current Girls Active programme in Oxford through The Oxford Academy. We’ll be working with a number of state secondary schools to get more girls engaged in sport and physical activity.”
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