There was a first-ever sell-out for the Bidwells Oxford Town & Gown 10K on Sunday 12 May,  with 4,374 finishers in the 10K and a further 477 racing the supporting Junior 3K event. Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) promoted the races and the university city was a sea of orange as runners sported the host charity's colours.

Bidwells Oxford Town & Gown 10K is the oldest in the series which also includes Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown 10K on Sunday 6 October 2024. The Oxford race started in 1982 and was inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy. His father and local runners set up the event as a fun run to raise funds for muscular dystrophy and all profits from the events go to MDUK.

The unique route is the only closed-road city centre 10K in Oxford, with a glorious stretch beside the River Cherwell and a spectacular finish in the University Parks. The run was awarded Best 10K in South East England by the Running Awards in 2019.

The Junior 3K started proceedings after a group warm-up led by Buzz Gym. The safe course is held entirely within 'The Parks' and the Event Village. Joshua Steward (Swindon Harriers) won in exactly 10:00 minutes and the first female was Matilda Peasgood (unattached, 11:47).

After another high-octane warm-up with Buzz Gym on the stage, the scene was set for the main event. Pacers were available for 45 to 70 minutes and more than 400 runners dispensed with their services and going under 45:00 despite the warm conditions.

The top three men were Matthew Kunov (Reading AC, 32:38), Luke Gribbin (Oxford University AC, 33:11) and Liam Wilson (unattached, 33:29). Josephine Auer (Oxford University AC, 35:34) took the women's race from Elizabeth Apsley (Thames Hare & Hounds, 35:40) and Karima Harris (Highgate Harriers, 37:50).

Further information about both Oxford and Cambridge events is available here.

Results from the Oxford Town & Gown 10K are via the runABC race listing here.

Photos courtesy of Town & Gown 10K on Facebook