Against Breast Cancer volunteer Hetty is running the Oxford Half Marathon 2024 for the charity this weekend. She looks ahead here to the event and explains her reasons for taking part.
On the 13th October 2024, 13,000 runners will descend upon The City of Dreaming Spires to run the annual Half Marathon. The 21.1km route will pass through the city’s iconic streets, winding up through the centre and down past the river before finishing in the University Parks. The flat and picturesque route makes it the perfect half marathon for a first timer, or for those chasing a personal best.
Of the participants, hundreds will be running for charities, and three runners will be running for Against Breast Cancer. Including myself!
I have grown to enjoy running over the past few years, much to my 15-year-old self’s surprise – and built up to being able to run 10k comfortably, and like any other recently graduated 20-something-year-old, I thought ‘let’s do a half marathon’, and if I was going to put myself through this, I might as well do it for charity.
While I am lucky enough not to have a personal experience with cancer, I have a degree in Cancer Sciences and have become particularly passionate about –and in a weird way fond of – breast cancer. I quickly found out that Against Breast Cancer had charity spots available for the race and signed up immediately.
I have thoroughly enjoyed training and can see (and feel) my work paying off. I had a few fundraising methods, selling clothes online, doing car boot sales, and sharing on my social media, however no tactic was quite as effective as when I asked my gran to put it on her Facebook page… then the donations came rolling in!
Our senior fundraising manager, Richard Martin has run the race many times:
“A brilliant event local to our offices in Abingdon. The route is very flat and relatively fast, perfect for first-timers or those looking for a tilt at a PB. The course takes in the surrounding countryside as well as a good amount of the City including the University Parks. The finish in the centre of Oxford is worth waiting for as you’re loudly applauded down the finishing stretch”
Over the number of years that runners have taken part in the Oxford Half and countless other races, thousands of pounds have been raised for the charity. These events are paramount to getting support from the public for the charity.
As well as those participating in the race, there are our volunteers who will be supporting the runners throughout the day. Their reasons for helping are vast, Kate S. previously volunteered at the Breast Walk Ever:
‘‘Volunteering for ABC was my way of honouring my grandmother’s memory. ABC’s work in Oxfordshire communities, raising awareness and funding vital research, is crucial to making a difference in the fight against this disease.’
To keep the energy high along the streets for both the runners and their supporters, the route boasts two Fan Hubs and nine different entertainment stations. This is the perfect event to grab your friends and line the streets of Oxford to cheer on the runners, whether you know any of them or not!