Thanks to Pete for this …

Three generations set off from Abingdon: Wendy & Pete with son Christopher & nine-year-old grandson James.

Nine-year-old James was impressed by his first sight of the vast arena.

This picture was before the game so I can’t imagine what James looked like after the game.

Oxford United secured a thrilling victory against Bolton Wanderers, winning 2-0, marking their return to the second tier of the English Football League after a 25-year absence. The jubilant Oxford fans could be heard around Abingdon, after their return, shouting “Yell-ows!” and “We’re going up!”

Topsport on Wootton Road will close early at noon this Saturday to allow Steve, the owner, and his family to cheer on Oxford United in the League One playoff final against Bolton at Wembley!

Steve apologises for any inconvenience caused. A lifelong Oxford United supporter, he remembers their 1986 Milk Cup victory (he still proudly sports the horned hat!). He’s seen the Yellows through thick and thin, from the old First Division’s highs to the Conference League’s lows, and back up to League One.

Due to centralised stock sales from the Oxford United shop at the Kassam this year, Topsport cannot get Oxford United merchandise like scarves, hats, and rosettes, and so there is not a lot of yellow in the window. But it does say after his apology about closing early, ‘Come on You Yellows!’

His colleague Tim has made one window display for the all-Manchester FA Cup Final, and the other for EURO 2024, where England compete.

Topsport will be 50 years old in November 2025.

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