Oxford Hospitals Charity was delighted to have its biggest ever team at the Oxford Half Marathon representing the charity this weekend.

Over 70 runners proudly wore our pink and teal tops as they navigated the 13.1 mile route around the historic city of Oxford.

In total 13,000 people took part in what is fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite half marathons due to its flat course and iconic sites.

One of our runners was Jo Warren (pictured centre) from Brackley in Northants.

Jo was running to say a big thank you for the care her son William, aged 12, has been receiving.

She explained: “I ran to give back following William’s treatment on both Kamran’s Ward in the Oxford Children’s Hospital and the Horton Children’s Ward in Banbury. He has spent the last 7 months in these centres receiving treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. 

“The care they have given William has been exceptional, and the emotional support they have given to us as a family is something I will be eternally grateful for -  we couldn't have got through the past year without them.

“The run was amazing, such a great event for such a worthy cause. I felt quite emotional on the day and had to dig deep in those last few miles.

“Seeing William and my amazing family in the crowds gave me that extra push! William loved it but was exhausted afterwards telling me “that’s the furthest I’ve walked all year! I’ve done my own half marathon today!”

“The support from the charity was also amazing, they really are a lovely group of people – and I’m really thrilled to have raised over £1,200 as well!

Shelley Coleman ran with two friends, calling themselves The Three Amigos, pictured right, with Lorna from our charity team.

She wanted to say thank you for staff who have helped her with a rare condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.  The Oxford Half was their final challenge in a series of events they have tackled in 2024.

After the run Shelley said: "It was an emotional return to Oxford for me. Anne, the physio who helped me through all the battling was there to see me at the finish line to share tearful, happy, winning hugs. I also had an amazing hug with Lorna and Jane from the charity who helped us navigate our fundraising and gave such amazing and caring support throughout."

The charity's team included runners supporting the John Radcliffe, Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General. Many runners were staff in the hospitals, ad others were running to say thank you for the care they or a loved one had received.

Claire Hughes from Oxford Hospitals Charity said: “It was really special to meet and cheer on so many of our Ox Half runners -  people of all ages and abilities and coming together to support our charity. We even had of two runners celebrating their 18^th birthdays on the day!

“We are so proud of all them and thrilled that after the months of rain they had a perfect day for it!

“There was such a fantastic atmosphere on the day and knowing the personal reasons behind so many of our runners taking part made it really quite emotional too.

“I’d also like to thank our volunteers who helped at our cheering points – we wanted all our runners to know just how much their support means to our charity and our hospitals!”

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