Oxford Half takes place for 2024
The event has sold out in record time this year
The fast and flat route has become one of the most-popular half marathons in the UK.
In 2024, the event also falls during the 70th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s famous achievement when he ran the world’s first sub-4-minute mile in the city.
It all starts on Broad Street and takes in Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, before finally finishing on Parks Road.
The race has grown massively from it's humble beginnings in 2011 of just 1,800 runners.
Jessica Spencer-Ades is one of today's 13 thousand runners - and today is her FIRST ever Half Marathon.
She's running for Oxfordshire's Sobell House Hospice in memory of her friend Max Biddell who received end of life care there.
Jess's sister ran the London marathon this year and has been giving her some pointers:
"She said just focus on your running. Maybe four minutes of running, then two of walking, and so on. We're hoping it'll help, especially when I started to get tired."
From Max’s parents, Julia and David Biddell:
“Our Son Max Biddell was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumour called Glioblastoma, after coming home from work one day in April 2023, with a severe migraine, followed by a seizure. He underwent, extensive treatments, which included intensive 9 hour surgery to remove 75% of the tumour, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and also took part in a clinical trial for immunotherapy. Max endured many side effects from these treatments, which really took there toll on his physical and mental health. He was incredibly brave, and always lived in hope given his terminal diagnosis.
"In May this year Max’s health began to deteriorate. We initially had home support from Sobell House from the occupational and physiotherapy team. Max had mobility issues, due to where the tumour was located in his brain and from surgery which resulted him losing his ability to walk unaided.
"As a family we made the hard decision that we were unable to care for him at home any more, as his health was declining, and he needed more specialist care that Sobell House could provide. The nurses and the doctors treated Max with the upmost dignity being such a young man at the age of 23.
"The kindness, support we all received in our time of need as a family is something that I will never forget, it’s takes very special and dedicated professionals to work at Sobell House to provide end of life care.
"There is a need for better palliative care, from a terminal diagnosis for younger adults, especially for their mental health. It would be wonderful through the money that is raised by Jess and Team Biddell if this could go towards this type of supportive care, which I’m sure will be very welcomed by Sobell House to support young adults in their time of need.”