A record number of runners raced through the historic streets of Oxford on Sunday 15 October for the city's annual half marathon. 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 for the 13,000 runners across the route.

Starting on Broad Street, near Trinity College, and ending on Park Road, the course takes in much of Oxford’s stunning architecture and runners enjoyed live entertainment at various points throughout the 13.1 miles.

This year’s Oxford Half featured an elite field of runners providing a key opportunity for many of these elite athletes to enhance their training and provide further race experience. Matthew Kearney was the winner of the race in 1:06:31 while second place went to Matt Jackson in 1:06:41 and third place was claimed by Andrew Davies in 1:07:34. The first female was Steph McCall in 1:15:34, second was Melissa Hawtin in 1:16:38 and third went to Katherine Wood in 1:16:58.

Sunday also saw over 500 schoolchildren from 18 local schools complete their own half marathon as part of the popular Schools Challenge. Event organisers, LimeLight Sports, work with local schools each year to encourage children to get active in the weeks before race day and complete their own Oxford Half Marathon in half-mile or mile sections – with the final 1.1 miles completed together on the day of the half marathon.

James Hogben 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.

“Whilst the achievement of crossing the line is incredible for all taking part, sometimes even just turning up marks a huge success. In the build-up to this year’s event, we have learnt so much about the participants and their powerful stories which will support and inspire a lot of people, perhaps even to take part in future events.”

If you would like to know more, visit the Oxford Half Marathon website.

Image: LimeLight Sports Club