New Oxford half marathon launched

The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 people this year

A new half marathon is being planned for Oxford in what is intended to become an annual sporting event.

The event has been planned for the past 18 months and will be held on 25 September to raise funds for the hospice Helen and Douglas House.

The route will begin and end at the Kassam stadium and will go through the Mini plant in Oxford, event sponsors. Organisers expect 3,000 participants.

The race still needs a UK athletics licence and a traffic management plan.

The route will include Headington, Madgalen Bridge, St Aldates and Folly Bridge.

If successful, organisers hope the event could involve more than 10,000 runners in the future.

Race director Andy Heyes said: "We are committed to making the Oxford Half Marathon an event we can all be proud of and one that engages the whole of the city."

Economy boost

There needs to be a license granted by UK athletics if the local running clubs can get involved.

A traffic management plan also has to be received by the council by 10 June.

Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Council said: "We support the event in principle, however, the organisers are yet to submit a traffic management plan, which is vital for the event to go-ahead."

The new half marathon should boost Oxford's local economy.

Bupa has estimated its annual half marathon, the Great Manchester Run, attracts more than 80,000 tourists to the city.

It has been two decades since a half marathon was held in Oxford.