Oxford Half Marathon: Record numbers take part

A record number of runners have pounded through a city's streets for a half marathon, organisers have said.

About 13,000 people took to the streets of Oxford earlier for the annual half marathon.

The race started at 09:30 BST Broad Street, near Trinity College, and runners crossed the finish line on Park Road.

Entrants taking on the 13.1 mile (21km) route included a mix of elite, amateur and wheelchair racers.

Steph McCall was the first female runner to cross the finish line

The fastest male time was logged at 1:06:31, with the quickest female finishing in 1:15:34 and the fastest wheelchair-user completing the race in 1:03:02.

The event was at full capacity and race director Ian Atherton said he had been overwhelmed by some of the entrants' stories.

"Hearing all the personal reasons that people choose to run just really resonates with us," he added.

Ms Peake raised £125 for Oxford-based charity Know Your Worth

Deborah Peake ran the race to raise money for Know Your Worth, a small Oxford-based charity that launched in 2021.

The charity, which she is a founder of, helps young people, especially girls, grow in self-confidence.

"We cover all sorts of topics like social media, body image and all of it has this emphasis on self esteem and building that in those girls that we get the chance to work with," she said.

She was slightly nervous before the event began, having only starting training a short time ago, but managed to run the race in 2:14:00.

"Crossing the finish line was amazing," she added.

Tiaan Bosch was the fastest wheelchair competitor, crossing the finish line in 1:03:02

James Hogben, managing director of the organisers, LimeLight Sports, said: "Whilst the achievement of crossing the line is incredible for all taking part, sometimes even just turning up marks a huge success.

"In the build-up to this year's event, we have learnt so much about the participants and their powerful stories which will support and inspire a lot of people, perhaps even to take part in future events."