A new look website and a new race director

April 4, 2014 // Mike

Welcome to the new look Oxford Half Marathon website, which we have refreshed in time for the launch of entries for this year’s race.

The fourth staging of this popular event will be held on Sunday 12th October 2014. As the event grows in popularity we’re urging runners to register as quickly as possible to secure their place. We have a fixed number of general public entries available as well as places reserved for our race charities. This year’s official race charities will be announced shortly.

This year also marks the handover of management of the Oxford Half Marathon from founders Andy Heyes and Dave Box, who are stepping down from the overall management and handing over to new race director Andrew Taylor. Andrew has been the race director of the Bath Half Marathon since 2000.

Speaking about his appointment Andrew said:

‘The city can be proud of the key role played by Andy, Dave and their colleagues in establishing the solid foundations for this successful community event. I am relieved that Dave and Andy will still remain an integral part of the race, involved in key strategic decisions, but fully respect their decision to step aside from day to day responsibility to follow other interests‘.

Oxford Half Marathon co-founder, Dave Box, said of Andrew’s appointment:

‘The original team are delighted to have been able to secure the services of Andrew Taylor, using his experience of managing the Bath Half Marathon to help develop a more consistent and professional level of event deliver, to take the Oxford Half on to the next level and to ensure the long-term future of the race. Setting up the race from Day 1 and taking the event to an entry level in excess of 5,000 within 3 years has been a fantastic journey, and we would like to thank all our participants, event partners, the councils, volunteers and local residents for their support over the last three years. Organising an event of this size is a mammoth undertaking and with the introduction of additional resources we are confident of the ongoing success of the Oxford Half Marathon’.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Board Member for Parks, Sport and Events at Oxford City Council, who was on hand to witness the formal handover of the race starter’s horn marking the launch of race entries and the appointment of the new race director said:

‘I am looking forward to taking part in the half marathon again. I have ran this event every year and hoping to improve my time this year. There has been a lot of support from council officers to ensure that this event can take place.’