I am back in Abingdon in time for the Abingdon Marathon. The Caution Runners signs were in place last night when I got home, and this morning the Abingdon Marathon started at Tilsley Park at 9 a.m.

Near the Oxford Road roundabout, three minutes into the race, the first runner, Alex Teuten of Southampton AC, already had a good lead over the other runners. He went on to win in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes and 22 seconds. The fastest ever time in 1986 was 2 hours 19 minutes and 7 seconds (ref 1). So this is the second fastest time and the record for the current course (used since 2016).

The sun was shining at the start and stayed dry throughout, which was a change from recent wet weather.

There were 738 competitors at the start line, and they took a few minutes to all get started.

On Abingdon Market Place (nearly 5 miles into the race), there was a good crowd of spectators to cheer the competitors on.

After the 5-mile mark at St Helen’s Wharf one of the marshals congratulated each of the competitor by name. He sounded like their personal coach. ‘Well done Mike. You are running well Tina & etc.’

I asked him how he knew so many of the runners and he said, their names are on their shirts. It’s an example of the incredible volunteers and marshals who line the course and make this such a fine community marathon.

The event is organised by Abingdon AC and volunteers from clubs across Oxfordshire.

The marathon also helps raise money for good causes, and fosters good relations. Scott was one person fostering good relations and making people smile. He is a Joggler (jogs and juggles) and finished with a time of 4 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds. He has a Sanctuary vest. Sanctuary runners bring people together in communities, especially, asylum seekers and refugees.

ref 1: https://abingdonmarathon.org.uk/history.php

The Thames Valley Orienteering Club returned to Abingdon to run the Abingdon Urban Race today Sunday, September 24th.

Over 200 competitors participated in the event, which saw them navigate a series of checkpoints around the town using maps.

The race started in the Abbey Gardens, with different course maps available, and different age categories. Competitors could be seen running through the town’s streets, parks, and alleys, clutching their maps and searching for their next checkpoint. They last orienteered Abingdon in 2017.

What is Orienteering?
The aim is to navigate between checkpoints on a special orienteering map. There is no set route so the skill and fun come from trying to find the best way to go.

In competitive orienteering, the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

See https://tvoc.org.uk/ to find out more.

The Mayor of  Abingdon-on-Thames was there to congratulate organisers and runners at the start of the 500th Abingdon Parkrun.

The main organising stewards were thanked for their help in keeping the park run going.

It was cold and fancy dress was optional.

The parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k walk/jog/run at 9am every Saturday from Rye Farm Meadow, Abingdon.

There are two circuits so spectators can cheer the runners as they come around at the nearest turn.

Brendan, one of the 118 guys, finished ahead of the field.  Back in  November, he ran the New York Marathon.

He was followed by the leading female runner,  Anna.

Runners then went for coffee on the Market Place.  Here is a short video of the town crier and the start.

At the Abingdon Town football ground this afternoon, the home team Abingdon Abbotts lined up before the game for a two minutes silence. The last post was played over the loudspeakers.

Many of the team have a military background, and the Oxford Graffiti Crew decorated the stand with a mural to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. There are plans for another larger graffiti along the front fence with a footballing theme.

There is a game most Saturdays, either the first team or the development team. The first team compete in the Oxfordshire Senior Football League. The club website and fixtures can be found at https://abingdonabbotts.wixsite.com/abingdon-abbotts-fc 

They still have some challenges after what happened to the previous owners. They are UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT and are looking for people’s support in football and in events promoting good causes like good mental health.