Bidwells Oxford 10k is the oldest run in our Town and Gown series. Inspired by a local boy Daniel Cleaver who had muscular dystrophy, it started in 1982. Daniel’s father and local runners set up the event as a fun run to raise money for muscular dystrophy and to this day all profits still go to our work.
About our Bidwells Oxford 10k
As the only closed-route race in Oxford, this event offers a unique opportunity to run on city roads amidst Oxford’s scenic landmarks and historic charm. The course also features beautiful stretches through the city’s parks and alongside its rivers.
With its fast and flat layout, it’s an ideal setting for both fun runners and experienced runners aiming to achieve a personal best (PB).
Join us for the Bidwells Oxford 10k race, an annual event that attracts around 6,000 runners every year.
Pricing:
Pre-registered runners: £28.50 Sold out
Early-bird rate: £32.50 Available for a limited time!
Standard 2025 entry: £35.00
Bidwells Oxford 10k route
Our route takes you through the closed roads of Oxford city centre and University Parks. You’ll run past many beautiful and historic landmarks and university buildings, with marshalling and clear signage throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
8am – Event Village opens
8.50am – Junior 3k warm-up
9.05am – Junior 3k runners walk to start on South Parks Road
9.15am – Junior 3k start
9.35am – 10k warm-up
9.45am – 10k runners walk to start on South Parks Road
10am – 10k start
1pm – Event Village closes
The Event Village in the University Parks, OX1 3RF, near the cricket pavilion. Exact location: What3Words ///sounds.title.scout
You’ll find everything you need pre- and post-race in the Event Village: the information and baggage tents, the registration tent for on-the-day entries, food stalls, and toilets.
The Event Village is where the pre-race warm-ups and prize presentations take place. Please note the races start on South Parks Road, a short walk from the Event Village in University Parks. It’s important that 10k runners arrive at University Parks in time for the warm-up at 9.35am and Junior 3k runners arrive for their warm-up by 8.50am. Our compere will instruct runners to make their way to the start line after the warm-up, where they will seed themselves according to their expected finish time.
The 10k is open to everyone over the age of 16.
The 3k is open to 9-15 year olds.
The race attracts local runners, including university students, club runners and fun runners. If you’re a wheelchair user or have any accessibility requirements and would like to take part, contact us on townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.
Race packs will be sent out by post before the event to the address provided on registration, as long as you entered on or before Thursday 24 April. For all entries on or after Friday 25 April you’ll need to collect your race pack on the day from the registration marquee in the Event Village from 8am.
Your race pack will include your running bib, with the timing chip fixed onto it.
If you provided your mobile number on entry, you’ll get an SMS with your chip-time shortly after you finish the race. All chip-timed results will be available after the event on www.chiptiming.co.uk.
If you’re unable to race, you can transfer your place to someone else, or defer your entry to a future Bidwells Town and Gown 10k event. The deadline for transfers and deferrals is Thursday 10 April 2025. Contact townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org.
We have a large baggage marquee in the event village. Please make sure your race number is on your baggage label (attached to your race bib) and attach the label securely to your bag before handing it in. After the race, present your race number to reclaim your bag.
We’re delighted to partner with the Coopah Run app who provide an affordable, personalised, running training plan. All our runners receive an exclusive two-week free trial after signing up with any Town and Gown 10K running event. Contact townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org for your code.
Trophy presentations will take place at 11am on the Event village stage . These will be based on chip-time achieved on the day for the following categories:
First, second and third place, female and male
First place in female and male age groups
Should a runner qualify for both an overall winner prize and an age group prize, they’ll be awarded the overall prize and the age group prize will be offered to the next finisher.
Parking in the centre of Oxford is extremely limited with no parking facilities in the area of the race. All roads in the immediate area are closed with parking restrictions enforced.
Local Buses
Please visit the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach websites for up-to-date travel and bus routes to Oxford City Centre on race day.
The start and Event Village is a maximum 10-minute walk from the city centre. Any bus going near the city centre will be a walkable distance.
Trains
The start and Event Village is a maximum 20-minute walk from Oxford train station. You’ll need to factor this in when arriving by train. For up-to-date train information visit the national rail website.
Parking
Visit the Oxford City Council website for a list of car parks within the city centre.
Road closures will start from 8am on Sunday morning and will remain in place until 12 noon. Most of the affected roads will be on a rolling closure system (i.e. will reopen as soon as the last runner has passed and it is safe to do so) apart from Parks Road, which will remain closed for the duration of the event.
Roads affected are:
Bradmore Road, Blackhall Road, Broad Street, Catte Street, Cornmarket Street, Crick Road, Keble Road, Fyfield Road, High Street (except buses and taxis allowed in both directions using Stop/Go Traffic Management), Holywell Street, Jowett Walk, Longwall Street, Magdalen Street East, Mansfield Road, Market Street, Museum Road, New College Lane, Norham Gardens, Norham Road, Parks Road, Queens Lane, South Parks Road, St. Cross Road, Ship Street, Turl Street.
Parking in the certain residential parking bays will also be suspended.
Those suspended from 00:00-12:30 on Sunday 11 May.
Longwall Street
Parks Road
High Street
Broad Street
Mansfield Road
Jowett Walk
Norham Gardens
Fyfield Road
Norham Road
Bradmore Road
Those suspended from 6pm Saturday 10 May until 12.30pm on Sunday 11 May:
Mansfield Road
For further information contact townandgown10k@musculardystrophyuk.org
Bidwells Oxford 10k 2024
On Sunday 12 May 2024 over 5,000 of you crossed the finish line at our Bidwells Oxford 10k. Every one of your entries is now funding groundbreaking research and life changing support for people living with muscle wasting conditions.
Find your photographs
Please consider donating to the charity for any free photos you download. Enter your name or bib number to find your photos.
Results
Check your chip-time results for our Oxford 2024 races.
Our headline partner
Bidwells
We’re a leading property consultancy, working within the most dynamic real estate markets in the UK. Over 80% of our work is concentrated in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc – a region of global significance, where we sell, on average, £1.1m of new homes every day, and have been advising science and technology businesses for more than 50 years. Established in 1839, we’ve retained many of our original clients, including some of the best-known colleges in Oxford and Cambridge who are among the biggest landowners in the UK. Our deep insight helps investors, developers, landowners and homeowners harness the benefits of the exceptional growth in these markets.
Event Partners
Diligencia
Oxford-based specialist information provider Diligencia is delighted to support Bidwells Oxford 10K.
Since 2008, they’ve been providing legal entity data and corporate intelligence services for emerging markets in the Middle East & Africa to financial institutions, law firms, risk advisory organisations and multinational corporates.
Oxford Mail
Oxford Mail have been media partners for the Oxford Town and Gown since the 1980s. Their support has allowed us to grow the event series, showcase our wonderful Town and Gown runners and raise vital awareness of muscle wasting conditions.
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. They address the specific objectives of each client through their flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic.
Enter as a fundraiser
Enter as a fundraiser for #TeamMDUK and enjoy these perks:
1) A free Town and Gown 10k Series event T-shirt
2) A complimentary post-race massage in our VIP #TeamMDUK tent with drinks and snacks
3) A free #TeamMDUK performance running vest (raise £75 by Wednesday 10 April)
All money raised will help fund groundbreaking research and life changing support for people living with muscle wasting conditions.
Volunteer
Every entry in the Bidwell’s Town and Gown 10k races helps fund groundbreaking research and life-changing support for people living with muscle wasting conditions. The series has already raised over £2 million. We simply couldn’t put these events on without brilliant volunteers.
We need information tent administrators, baggage tent coordinators, goody bag distributors, route marshals, water station marshals, and start & finish line marshals.
Run Events
RunEvents, the licensing partner for England Athletics, ensures our race meets the highest standards, delivering a safe, organized experience backed by UK Athletics regulations.