Battle of the Bands line up confirmed for the 2014 Vitality Oxford Half Marathon

October 6, 2014 // Rachel Ellis

Following the success of previous years’ Battle of the Bands competitions at the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon (Vitality OXFORDHALF), organisers have confirmed the best ever line up of local musical talent set to perform around at the race on Sunday (12th October).

There will be six bands playing live sets around the half marathon course for the entertainment of competitors and spectators. There will be something to suit all tastes, from a blues band to an alternative rock band and even a traditional 30 piece choir, providing for a great atmosphere on race day.

The eclectic mix of live talent set for race day has been carefully selected by the Vitality OXFORDHALF’s former race director, Dave Box.

Dave commented: “We have a record 6,000 runners taking part in the event this year and we have carefully positioned all of our entertainment points to ensure that each and every one of them has a truly memorable race day experience. We have a fantastic variety of bands lined up this year who are certain to get our spectators on their feet dancing and our entrants running to the sound of the beat, providing for a superbly atmospheric event. We hope that this will spur our runners on to the finish line, helping them to achieve their own personal race goals, whatever they may be”.

After the race, competitors will be invited to vote for their favourite band in the post-race online survey and the winning band will be awarded with a £500 cash prize.

Dave added: “All the bands featured in this year’s Vitality OXFORDHALF have generously given their time for free, to showcase their talent and support this community event. Most of the bands are from the local Oxford area. We would encourage our runners to show their appreciation for the bands as they make their way around the course and to take the time to place their vote for their favourite in our post-race survey”.

In addition to six entertainment points with live music, Heart FM will also have two cheer points around the course where they will be playing music and cheering runners on to give them that extra boost to make it across the finish line.

BBC Radio Oxford is broadcasting live across the course and will be hearing from some of the bands playing along the route. The winner of the battle of the bands will be announced on BBC Radio Oxford later in the month followed by an interview with the winner.

The entertainment location points around the route are as follows:

· Iffley Road – Heart FM

· Magdalen Arms, Iffley Road – ‘The Undercovers’

· Iffley Road Running Track (which will also be the home to the Bannister Mile this year, Iffley Road– Voice Box Choir

· Cape of Good Hope Pub, Iffley Road – Bright Colour Vision

· The Head of the River Pub on Folly Bridge – Vintage Son’s

· Isis Farmhouse, Iffley Lock – The Purple Lights

· The George Pub, Sanford Road – Heart FM

· Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road – The Monday Blues
For further information about the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon, go to www.oxfordhalf.co.uk.

ENDS

For more media information please email Chloe Chaplin by return or call:
0115 925 8777 / 07967 341 343

Notes to editors:

· Band biographies attached

· Oxfam have been confirmed as the official Lead Charity for the 2014 Vitality Oxford Half Marathon, Helen & Douglas House have been confirmed as this year’s official Local Charity, and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation are the official Charity for the Vitality Run Series.

· The Vitality Oxford Half Marathon is part of the Vitality Run Series, a new national series of eight leading UK road races including the Vitality Bath Half Marathon.

· The 4th staging of this popular event will be held on Sunday 12th October. Entries for this year’s race were sold out well before race day.