The Mini and Unipart House car parks are about 2 miles from the start but last year I believe they laid on plenty of free shuttle buses to the race HQ. The car park at the stadium isn't too big and due to the course passing the entrance its a bit of a nightmare to get in and out. All I will suggest is to get there early if you need baggage to be stored, although this situation will hopefully be much approved from last year.
Quick question: I know that headphones aren't recommended but it is on closed roads and I've never ran without before so don't want to in my first hald. Is this okay?
Just run without them and enjoy the atmosphere, and your increased spatial awareness!
I should declare that, personally, I think headphones should be banned from all races. You need to be aware if there is a faster runner approaching behind you, so that you can give away without impeding their (or your) progress.
I'm running Oxford with a friend and neither of us has yet received our running numbers. Just an envelope with the charity sponsorship form some weeks ago.
Are we the only ones?
The main contact route info@oxfordhalfmarathon.co.uk seems to simply bounce back emails. Does anyone have a direct contact number please?
Last year it was in bottles if I remember rightly.
For people travelling down, I live on part of the course, and it has been raining heavily since about 5pm last night. And its meant to continue through the race also so watch out when going through Christchurch meadow and along the towpath as the ground can be very slippy there, from experience.
Anyways, time to pack the bag and await my lift. Good luck everyone! see you all at the finish!
Rain rain rain... don't you just love running in the rain?
I certainly enjoyed my two hours spectating. Started off quite well with a gentle walk from my house up to the Bullnose, 15 minutes early but I wanted a good spot.
First runner appeared 100 metres clear of the following 5 man pack. Cricky they move fast up at the front. None of them seemed bothered about the rain. I decided to man up and stop whinging.
I held my head up and faced the racers... first lady... my brother... first harrier.. first bright yellow chicken ... I cheered them all past ..this was even more fun than running.
but never mind about my race experience , how did you all get on?
Surprisingly fast considering the narrow towpath section and the "cross country" experience through Christ Church Meadow. Enjoyed it, though I think they could improve the goody bag; it was a bit miserly for an expensive race. And the results aren't up yet, even though they were supposed to be 'live'.
I'd just like to add my grateful thanks to to pacers, after doing pacing duties myself at Chester marathon last week- it is a responsibility. I didn't know how much I'd have left in legs. My pan was to hang to the 2hr pacer and see if I could go ahead at 10mile. But my enthusiastic daughter persuaded me to start near the 1:55 pace. We kept him in sight for a couple of mile, then I had to really dog in as legs felt heavy, and daughter pulled ahead 6.5miles or so. Around 8 or so I could hear the 2hr pace group closing - so tried to stay ahead- didn't work for long-so I stayed in the group fwhile mile or 2, at 11.5 or so I seemed to get second wind and pushed on , or so I thought . I could hear the group not far behind. Very pleased to finish 9 seconds inside my target of 1:59:59. It's probably a lovely course in the middle along the paths & river, but I was concentrating on keeping kee feel as I sploshed through the puddles.
Managed to take 8 minutes off my PB with a very quick start - came in at 1hr 37mins!
I only started running properly fourteen months ago, and ran my first half at Oxford last year. Within twelve months I've cut 17 minutes off my time! Well happy.
Great course despite weather. But took me 1.5 hours to get out of the car park at the end, freezing cold and soaking, to travel 3 miles home to my 5 month old daughter. Such a shame.
Well organised event and a great course for an urban event, Oxford is a great town! All the marshals stood their posts despite the weather and were encouraging despite my desperately slow time. Only drawback was lack of space-blankets at the end left me very cold & shaky, but the organisers have said they will be available next time (so the weathers bound to be too hot then!)
Comments
The Mini and Unipart House car parks are about 2 miles from the start but last year I believe they laid on plenty of free shuttle buses to the race HQ. The car park at the stadium isn't too big and due to the course passing the entrance its a bit of a nightmare to get in and out. All I will suggest is to get there early if you need baggage to be stored, although this situation will hopefully be much approved from last year.
Has anyone received the email with the info yet?
No, but the info is available for download from the web site.
Hi all.
Does anyone have / know of someone who has a spare place for this one?
Hope the training's going well!
Hi Tim,
I have a spare place going. Received the pack through, but am unable to do it.
Do you want to message me?
Tom
Hi Guys
Just come across this one and fancy running next weekend.
After two places if anyone has a few spare?
Thanks
Quick question: I know that headphones aren't recommended but it is on closed roads and I've never ran without before so don't want to in my first hald. Is this okay?
Just run without them and enjoy the atmosphere, and your increased spatial awareness!
I should declare that, personally, I think headphones should be banned from all races. You need to be aware if there is a faster runner approaching behind you, so that you can give away without impeding their (or your) progress.
I'm running Oxford with a friend and neither of us has yet received our running numbers. Just an envelope with the charity sponsorship form some weeks ago.
Are we the only ones?
The main contact route info@oxfordhalfmarathon.co.uk seems to simply bounce back emails. Does anyone have a direct contact number please?
Hi David - try info@oxfordhalfmarathon.com (com, not co.uk).
anymore spaces going guys? i'm gutted i missed out on entering this
I have my membership pack, does anyone know if there is any pre-race registration you need to go to or can you just turn up?
If you have your number and ship, you just need to turn up.
Is water in bottles or cups ?
Last year it was in bottles if I remember rightly.
For people travelling down, I live on part of the course, and it has been raining heavily since about 5pm last night. And its meant to continue through the race also so watch out when going through Christchurch meadow and along the towpath as the ground can be very slippy there, from experience.
Anyways, time to pack the bag and await my lift. Good luck everyone! see you all at the finish!
Thanks Grundy just about to leave B&B for the park ride
Rain rain rain... don't you just love running in the rain?
I certainly enjoyed my two hours spectating. Started off quite well with a gentle walk from my house up to the Bullnose, 15 minutes early but I wanted a good spot.
First runner appeared 100 metres clear of the following 5 man pack. Cricky they move fast up at the front. None of them seemed bothered about the rain. I decided to man up and stop whinging.
I held my head up and faced the racers... first lady... my brother... first harrier.. first bright yellow chicken ... I cheered them all past ..this was even more fun than running.
but never mind about my race experience , how did you all get on?
It was very wet and a bit chilly but loved it. And I got a PB by 10 minutes! Never been so grateful to own a fan heater as I am now though!
Loved it! First half and ran around 1.36/37 not official and think at one point Grundy you were just behind me, heard soemone shout 'Grundy'
Fabulous course and event! Organisation and marshalling was great in my experience today as well as the shuttle buses to and from the parking.
Well done to everyone for braving a vile day weather wise
Surprisingly fast considering the narrow towpath section and the "cross country" experience through Christ Church Meadow. Enjoyed it, though I think they could improve the goody bag; it was a bit miserly for an expensive race. And the results aren't up yet, even though they were supposed to be 'live'.
Ditto what mothrunner said.... For a potential big event it still has some teething problems, but a big improvement on last years chaos!
Well done everyone on a wet day at the office, I'm glad I have can now taper for next weekend's jaunt in Amsterdam
I'd just like to add my grateful thanks to to pacers, after doing pacing duties myself at Chester marathon last week- it is a responsibility. I didn't know how much I'd have left in legs. My pan was to hang to the 2hr pacer and see if I could go ahead at 10mile. But my enthusiastic daughter persuaded me to start near the 1:55 pace. We kept him in sight for a couple of mile, then I had to really dog in as legs felt heavy, and daughter pulled ahead 6.5miles or so. Around 8 or so I could hear the 2hr pace group closing - so tried to stay ahead- didn't work for long-so I stayed in the group fwhile mile or 2, at 11.5 or so I seemed to get second wind and pushed on , or so I thought . I could hear the group not far behind. Very pleased to finish 9 seconds inside my target of 1:59:59. It's probably a lovely course in the middle along the paths & river, but I was concentrating on keeping kee feel as I sploshed through the puddles.
Really enjoyed today, despite the weather. The PB helped Well done to the organisers, marshalls, and supporters.
How did everyone get on in that rain?!
Managed to take 8 minutes off my PB with a very quick start - came in at 1hr 37mins!
I only started running properly fourteen months ago, and ran my first half at Oxford last year. Within twelve months I've cut 17 minutes off my time! Well happy.
I have done a blog about it finally if anyone fancies a read www.grundyruns.wordpress.com
Well organised event and a great course for an urban event, Oxford is a great town! All the marshals stood their posts despite the weather and were encouraging despite my desperately slow time. Only drawback was lack of space-blankets at the end left me very cold & shaky, but the organisers have said they will be available next time (so the weathers bound to be too hot then!)