The Oxford Half returned today with thousands of runners, each with their own inspirational story and reason for running, raising funds for 12 local and national charities.
They included Hamzah, Bashar and Fthawi, three young refugees from war-torn Yemen and Eritrea who completed their first-ever half marathon as part of a new programme The Refugee Run Club.
Hamzah only began running in May and completed the Oxford Half in an amazing time of 01:18:53.
Hamzah said: “This is my first half marathon – and the whole experience was amazing, especially the entertainment en route!
“I beat my time by six minutes and want to thank the crowds of people cheering me on, they are the reason for my PB! I would love to do the Oxford Half Marathon every year!”
Other standout charity runners included Martin Realey and Tom who ran with 54kg washing machines strapped to their backs for SSNAP, a runner dressed as a house fundraising for Helen & Douglas House, a dinosaur, giraffe, basketball bouncing tiger, a witch and The Beatles with a yellow submarine.
James Robinson, managing director of LimeLight Sports Club, said: “It’s the community spirit in Oxfordshire that makes today a very special event in our calendar.
“Thank you to Oxford Council and Oxford University for hosting us. And to all the runners, spectators, local residents, vendors and businesses that have supported the race since 2010.”
The Oxford Half 2022 wound through Central Oxford, across the River Cherwell and through the parks and countryside before looping around Old Marston Village.
Runners raised funds for Limelight’s 12 charity partners: Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, GOSH, Alzheimers UK, Headway Oxfordshire, Helen & Douglas House, Oxfordshire Mind, Sobell House, Restore, Special Effect, Oxford Food Hub and SSNAP.
On top of this a further 50 charities entered teams and over £300,000 has been raised so far for worthwhile causes.
Runners arrived from 7.30am to prepare their minds and bodies ahead of the pre-race warm-up in Race Village before making their way to the start line on Broad Street where at 9.30 am the klaxon sounded to officially start the race.
Hundreds of cheering spectators lined the streets and there was music at every mile to help power runners along the 13.1 mile route and across the finish line.
Finishers were awarded a medal and a futuristic limited-edition collectable personalised NFT.
The Oxford Half 2022 male winner Andrew Heyes finished in just 01:05:30.
He said: “The day was great! The course is fantastic, the Oxford Half is absolutely stunning, and the weather has massively helped.
“This is my first time running the Oxford Half, I’ve wanted to do it for a few years, and I was desperate to do it, so when this opportunity came along, I grabbed it.”
This year’s female winner Harriet Freeman completed the course with an impressive time of 01:18:01.
She said: “The day has been absolutely stupendous! From waking up at dawn, gorgeous sunrise, listening to the birds, then the cool music and warm-up and the atmosphere is buzzing.
“It’s my first event in a year as I was on crutches for three months, and to have won Oxford Half is an amazing comeback! I feel honoured to be here.”
First wheelchair finisher Gary Cooper, who finished in 01:00:53, added: “Race conditions were perfect and the atmosphere was encouraging, even from the other runners.
“This is my fourth time doing the Oxford Half Marathon and I got a PB by three minutes. It’s also off the back of doing the London Marathon and Chicago marathon, my third marathon in three weeks and it’s my fastest time!”
Post-race, the Race Village at Oxford University Parks played host to live music, stretch sessions and local market traders, allowing for celebrations to continue well into the afternoon.
Hundreds of children aged five to 11 from 14 Oxford schools took on the 1.1 mile race to complete their own 13.1 mile challenge.
