The Abingdon Marathon was first held in 1982 and 2014 will mark the race’s 33rd year since its inception. This be the 32nd running of the race – unfortunately the 2007 event had to be abandoned.

The marathon entry has grown over the years but has an entry limit is 1,100 this year. We expect this number to be reached by the beginning of March, well before the closing date, so make sure you enter early to avoid disappointment.

The 2014 Milton Park Abingdon Marathon will again incorporate a number of chamionship events: Oxfordshire County Marathon Championships, Berkshire County Marathon Championships, Middlesex County Marathon Championships and Army AA Marathon Championships. In addition, the event also hosts the Twin Towns competition. We always extend a big welcome to our friends from overseas, especially from Argentan, France, Abingdon’s twin town.

Our main sponsors for the 2014 race are Milton Park which provides commercial property for businesses in the South Oxfordshire area, more details of which can be found on their homepage. The Abingdon Marathon course passes through the centre of the Milton Park business estate. This is the second year the event will have received sponsorship from Milton Park. We thank them for their generous financial support.

The race is organised by a committee of volunteers from clubs across Oxfordshire. The organisation of a marathon is a considerable job, and this year the Committee is grateful to the support from Abingdon Amblers AC, Alchester AC, Headington Road Runners and Witney Road Runners. Without this support and the assistance of a number of other local clubs and voluntary organisations the race would not take place.

The event is a BARR graded Gold event. In addition to putting on a first class event for the competitors, the organisers aim to support a number of local charities and the main beneficiaries over the last four years have included Against Breast Cancer, SeeSaw and Helen and Douglas House.

Whether you are taking part as a runner, supporting your family or friends as they run the race, or just enjoying the spectacle and the enthusiasm of the day we hope it will be a day to remember.