A prestigious half.
The fast and flat Oxford Half has a perfect route for both newbies, PB chasers and charity runners!
The course takes runners through the pristine, winding streets of historic Oxford. The route begins in the city centre and passes through the stunning sites of Old Marston village, the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, before finally finishing on Parks Road.
Give your miles some purpose and raise life-changing funds for one of these incredible charity partners.
Aim for a PB in this prestigious city, whether you're a first-timer or an improver.
Beautiful, historic course from start to finish which gets rave reviews every year.
The locals come out in droves to cheer you on to the finish line!
These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and complete the form to ask a question or get signed up.
Cancer
Pioneering new cancer treatments to create a future beyond cancer.
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£350
Older people
Advice and support for older age.
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£250
Social welfare
Where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£300
Children
50% off
Supporting cleft surgery and other forms of essential comprehensive cleft care.
50% off with discount code
Sign up
£20 £10
Fundraise
£150
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Animals
For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£150
Wheelchair entrants are permitted at the Oxford Half. Hand cycles, however, are not permitted and all wheelchair participants must be self-propelled without support.
If you meet the elite qualifying time and are also taking part in a racing wheelchair, then you will start at the front of the race, shortly before the main field. If you are taking part in a day chair then you will start the race at the back of the main field.
If you are a visually impaired runner or your disability and/or medical conditions means that you require a guide runner/assistant, then please get in touch. Guide dogs are not permitted at the Oxford Half.
Awesome charities will be cheering runners throughout the 13.1 miles. Feel free to join, cheer and wave with them!
The Oxford Half isn’t just for the runners, it’s also for all the dedicated family and friends that have helped, supported, sponsored and cheered the runners to get to where they are.
The Event Village in Oxford University Parks will be open from 07:30 with plenty of things to see and do (not just for the runners). In addition to the food, drink and entertainment in the Village, spectators can also take the fans’ walking route and stop off at our two designated fan hubs – you can walk between each one faster than your runner, so you’ll see them whizz past you on more than one occasion!
Grab yourself a hot drink for the walk and work up an appetite for some street food back in the Event Village afterwards. There’ll be loads going on, so come down and get involved whilst the runners make their way around the 13.1 mile course.
University Parks
South Parks Road
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 3RF
UK
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS
The course takes runners through the pristine, winding streets of historic Oxford. The route begins in the city centre and passes through the stunning sites of Old Marston village, the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, before finally finishing on Parks Road.
3 hours 30 minutes
The cut-off time for the Oxford Half Marathon is 3 hours and 30 minutes. Runners who are still on the course after this time are asked to move to the pavement to allow the streets to reopen, but they are still able to collect a medal at the finish line.
There will be a fantastic line-up of live entertainment positioned at every mile, to energise runners and keep spirits high for all - in addition to the charity cheerers supporting those wearing charity vests! You are encouraged to run without headphones to hear any necessary emergency announcements and to soak up the sounds along the route.
Positive actions at the Oxford Half Marathon:
Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.
Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:
Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.
Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.
When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.
When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.
You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general/ballot entries are closed.
Running a half marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?
The course is brilliant: fast, fairly flat and beautiful, combining sections around the colleges with spells in the suburbs and countryside. There are a lot of spectators to cheer you on, so there's a definite buzz during the run itself. The race village is pretty good, with lots of choices of places to eat and drink. Brian H
Great race with lots of support on the course! Violet C
A great event that deserves the hype and build-up it gets. Andrew T
5th year running the Oxford Half and it was amazing as ever! Abby D
Would thoroughly recommend this Half Marathon. Mike E
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck