BEFORE THE RACE
RACE DAY CHECKLIST
✔ Race bib & safety pins
✔ Checked arrival & start time for my pen
✔ Race Ready or bag tag attached (if using bag drop)
✔ Emergency info on my bib pre-filled
✔ Hydrated & fuelled
✔ Name on my bib
✔ Downloaded the Race Day App
✔ Weather appropriate clothing
✔ Travel plan checked
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
07:30 – Event Village opens
08:15 - Warm up with Runna in the Event Village (every 15 mins until 08:45)
08:30 - Schools’ Challenge starts
08:45 - Runners begin to move to start pens
09:30 – Oxford Half Race Start
10:15 – Final runner crosses the start line
10:35 – First finisher expected
13:45 – Final runner expected* & race cut-off time
15:00 – Event Village closes
*Roads along the route will be reopened as runners complete each section, and when safe and feasible to do so. Any runners predicted to finish after the cut-off time at 13:45 will be asked to move onto the pavement.
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Sunday 12 October 2025
Race Start: 09:30
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The race starts and finishes on Mansfield Rd, OX1 3SZ.
The Event Village is located in Oxford University Parks, OX1 3RF
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In order to help congestion at the baggage area, we are asking our amazing runners to arrive race ready.
Race ready simply means to arrive with no bag and head straight to the start line. This will speed up the start process and will make sure our runners all start on time!
ARRIVAL TIMES
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Arrive at the Event Village: 08:00
Move into your start pen: 08:50
Estimated start time: 09:30 - 09:50
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Arrive at the Event Village: 08:15
Move into your start pen: 09:05
Estimated start time: 09:50 - 10:30
To reduce queues for bag drop on race morning, we suggest you arrive in the following windows dependent on your allocated race start pen.
The race will start at 09:30, but please take note of the times below for you to arrive on site, be in your allocated start pens, and when you will cross the start line.
Entrance to the start pens is located on Parks Rd, approximately 5 mins walk from the Event Village.
If you do not need to drop a bag you may proceed directly to your start pen.
Your pen allocation cannot be changed.
If you want to start with someone who has been allocated a different pen letter, you may move backwards to an alternative pen (no need to change race number) but not forwards in an earlier starting wave.
YOUR RACE PACK
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Your Race Pack consists of your bib for Race Day. If you opted for a finishers t-shirt, you will receive this at the finish line, NOT in your Race Pack.
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You will have either received your race pack in the mail, or if you have opted for race pack collection, you will need to pick up your race bib from the Event Village in Oxford University Parks OX1 3RF on Saturday 11 October: 10:00 - 17:00.
Don’t forget to bring your safety pins with you on race day.
NOTE: If you opted for race pack postage and it hasn’t arrived by Friday 10 October, you can pick up a replacement from the Event Village.
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Your timing chip, which accurately measures your time, is attached to your race number. Please do not remove, bend, fold, or cover the chip, as we will be unable to track your time. If your timing chip is bent in the post, visit the help desk on Sunday morning and we can provide you with a replacement.
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Here is an example of your race number, prefixed with a letter which corresponds to the start time you have been allocated based on your predicted finish time. This indicates which arrival window you should aim to arrive in on race day.
Your race number is individual to you and cannot be resold or transferred. Please fill in the emergency details on the reverse of your number. Running in someone else’s bib may result in us being unable to identify you or your next of kin correctly in an emergency.
In an effort to reduce waste, we asked you in your registration if wanted a finishers t-shirt. Your race bib will indicate whether you opted in or out of a t-shirt - you will only receive a t-shirt at the finish line if you opted for one in your registration.
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At the bottom of your race number are two tear-off tags. The bottom tag attaches to your bag and is your baggage label. The top tag is your reclaim tag – keep this attached to your race number throughout the run and have it ready to hand to the baggage staff to collect your bag quickly after the race. Please attach the tag to your bag before you arrive to keep queue times down.
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Make sure you write your name on the front of your bib, so spectators can cheer you on!
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On the reverse of your Race Bib is space to fill in your emergency details. Please fill this in accurately, just in case we need it on the day.
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Don’t forget to bring your own safety pins with you! Our top tip is to come race ready with your race bib visibly secured to the front of your running top.
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If you have opted for a finishers t-shirt, you will pick this up once you have crossed the finish line – you won’t receive this with your race pack.
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Opens at 07:30, please collect your bag as soon as you finish your race.
Opted in for a finisher’s t-shirt
Opted out of a finisher’s t-shirt
GETTING THERE
It is important to pre-plan your travel to get to the Oxford Half. There is no parking at the event site or city centre, so please plan accordingly.
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The following city ‘Park and Ride’ services can be prebooked via the link below:
Redbridge Car Park
Pear Tree Car Park
These car parks are open to the general public so will be very busy - book early to avoid missing out.
Runners must arrive by 07:30 to allow enough time to get to the start.
Tickets are now available at this link here.
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This year, we have event specific Park & Ride at Unipart House Oxford, OX4 6LX.
There are a limited number of spaces and each car is limited to 4 adults.
Car park open from 06:30.
Shuttles to Oxford high street run every 10 minutes between 07:00 - 08:30.
Return shuttles from Oxford high street to Unipart House run between 11:00 - 14:00.
Tickets are now available at this link. Book early to avoid missing out.
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For those travelling from the local and surrounding area, we recommend using the local bus services to access the event.
All bus companies will be operating their normal Sunday services, though may be subject to diversions and extended journey times due to the road closures in place for the race.
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The Oxford Tube runs from 03:25 every hour with services departing London Victoria and arriving into Oxford Gloucester Green Bus Station - approximately 15 minutes walk to the race village.
The 06:25 service arriving into Oxford at 08:06 will likely be busy and may reach capacity - services are based on a first come, first served basis. We suggest you arrive early, and aim to board at the start of the route at Victoria Station.
Please note: Purchasing a ticket in advance for the Oxford Tube doesn’t guarantee a seat on a specific service if that bus is then full. For more information, including ticket prices and timetables, visit their website.
*The Oxford Tube is a coach service
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A train shuttle will be running from Didcot Parkway into Oxford Station (20 minute journey) on event morning.
Departure times which will get you to the start line are 06:48, 07:30, 08:00, 08:30. If you are in an early wave, please catch an early train and allow plenty of time.
Tickets can be purchased via Great Western Railway.
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Please note, the earliest London service into Oxford does NOT arrive in time for you to start the race. If travelling from London, we strongly recommend the Oxford Tube or arriving into Oxford on Saturday 11 October.
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Latest road closure information can be found here.
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If you are using other arrival options, please be aware of road closures and timings on event morning. Plan to arrive in the city centre before 07:30.
RACE CONDITIONS
In place for this year’s Oxford Half will be a colour-coded Event Day Alert, which will be used to communicate the status of course conditions on race day.
The levels range from low (green) to moderate (amber) to high (red) to extreme (black) based on the weather and other course conditions. On race day, the status will be communicated via the announcers at the start line and finish line.
Although it’s often cooler in October, it is still important you hydrate well in the days leading up to the event.
GREEN
Low risk conditions
Stay hydrated and enjoy the race
Maintain your usual pace
Follow official event instructions
AMBER
Moderate risk conditions
Conditions may be warmer, windier or wetter than ideal
Adjust your pace if needed
Follow official event instructions
RED
High risk conditions
Slow down & take caution
Observe any course changes
Follow official event instructions
BLACK
Extreme risk conditions
Event may be cancelled
Follow official event instructions