The 33rd running of the Abingdon Marathon started at 9am from Tilsley Park this morning.

Many volunteers were there to help. Marshalls held back traffic at junctions to let competitors run free. They also cheered and guided runners round the course.

The event is organised by a committee of volunteers from clubs in Oxfordshire including Abingdon Amblers. The number of entrants is limited to 1100, and included a postman who was going for the posties marathon record carrying a heavy post bag. I have not heard yet whether he got round in time.

Many local Clubs and Societies helped. The Abingdon Air Cadets for example were at the turn by Abingdon Marina offering drinks.

There was even a feeding station offering Jelly Babies near Peep O Day Lane.

The course itself had some changes this year. What is a difficult road junction at the bottom of Preston Road was replaced by a ‘funny’ turn at Lambrick Way. Then near the end competitors were diverted along Farm Road.

It was another very well organised event. The winning men’s runner, Chris Jordon from Leicester Coritanian Athletic Club, is seen here with some of the See Saw volunteers who organised the catering at Tilsley Park.

636 runners completed the marathon within the time limit. There are pictures of the runners on the Abingdon Blog Facebook page.