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.

The club closed in 2017 and has re-opened in 2022 with a gym at Abingdon United Football Club.

The Abingdon Bridge charity set up a meeting back in January and got all interested people together. The club has been reconstituted since then and has the new venue, coaches, sponsors, and equipment.

An open day was held today so people could look around the new facilities and talk to the coaches. Young people could have a go at speed target practice and other activities.

There was a queue to sign up for training.

The ribbon was cut by David Jeffries, a former club chairman for twenty-five years. He is seen with Rob Southey, a coach and lifetime club member. David was involved with the club from the 1970s and remembered all the boxing shows that used to take place at the Guildhall. He talked about John Joyce, who took over as chairman after him. The case of pictures is dedicated to John, who David said ‘would give his last penny to the club’.

The club is affiliated with England Boxing, the official body for Amateur Boxing in England, previously called the ABA. The club is dedicated to keeping children and young teenagers safe and fully engaged in their community.