The Oxford Half Marathon welcomes a large field of 13,000 runners every year, so it is a testament to the race’s quality that it still requires a ballot to divvy up spots. The ballot is now open for the 2022 event and you have until 20th April to enter.
It costs £51 to enter the race if you are successful, but if you want to make a saving on that entry price and bypass the ballot entirely, there is a way. If you sign up to become a member of the LimeLight Sports Club then you get 33% off the Oxford Half entry price, bringing it down to £39.98 and, more importantly, guaranteeing a place.
The membership costs £39.98, so you are spending more in total, but you can also use it to get discounts on other LimeLight events, like the Asics London 10K and Hackney Half Marathon.
If you stick with the Oxford Half Marathon ballot and are unsuccessful in the draw you may also be able to grab a charity place – visit the charity page on the event website to see which ones have places.
The route for the event is one of the UK’s best. It’s flat and fast enough to satisfy PB hunters, and long stretches are on wide roads so it’s unlikely you’ll be caught behind a pack of slower runners. It’s also scenic enough that you can take your time and enjoy the views. You’ll get to run past the dreaming spires of the city’s centre, wind through University Parks and visit the picturesque village of Old Marston.
There will also be entertainment along the way in the shape of live DJs and bands at every mile, and a good crowd and party atmosphere is expected too.
If that all sounds great but you can’t wait until October to race 21.1km, or fear the ballot won’t go your way, head to our round-up of the best half marathons in the UK for 2022 and sign yourself up to one or two others as well.
Enter the Oxford Half Marathon Ballot | £51 (if successful)
