Course information

The route is a single-lap relatively flat course, passing the Mini plant facility in Cowley and continuing to the track where Sir Roger Bannister broke the first ever four-minute mile in May 1954 at Iffley Road.

Runners in this year’s Vitality Oxford Half Marathon will be able to experience their very own piece of local history, as organisers announce the introduction of the ‘Bannister Mile’ to the October race.

In previous years the course has run past the University Sports Centre on Iffley Road. But this year the course will incorporate a short detour off the Iffley Road, so runners will have the unique opportunity to run in Bannister’s footsteps with one lap around the very track where history was made 60 years ago. The BBC Radio Oxford Bannister Mile will begin around the six mile mark on the Iffley Road and will end on the finish line of the track before rejoining the Iffley Road. Competitors’ results will include both chip timing for the half marathon and the Bannister Mile.

Breezing past the world-famous university college grounds, the city’s iconic spires and continuing through the beautiful Christchurch Meadow.

Crossing Folly Bridge, then heading south onto the scenic Thames Path, before joining Oxford Road. Complete your challenge and cross the finish line in the Kassam Stadium, home of Oxford United Football Club, in front of the roaring crowds!

You can view the course route on our 2014 race day guide