Oxford City Race 2026
Saturday 31st October
Entries close 23:59 on Thursday 29th October
The Oxford City Race returns for its 20th anniversary!
This year's event will take you on a tour of south Oxford, through up to seven colleges as well as various departmental areas and parks.
The Oxford City Race is a biennial event which began in 2006, making this year our 20th anniversary.
This year's event will take you on a tour of south Oxford featuring various parks and departmental areas, as well as up to seven colleges! As well as a healthy dose of tourism, the courses also include a good amount of fine navigation and route choice - which should hopefully challenge even those who are familiar with Oxford.
The event is part of the 2026 UKOL and UKUL leagues.
This event is paired with SOC's November Classic event on Sunday 1st November. Details can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming you to this year's Oxford City Race - if you have any questions, please do get in touch with us.
This year's event will take you on a tour of south Oxford featuring various parks and departmental areas, as well as up to seven colleges! As well as a healthy dose of tourism, the courses also include a good amount of fine navigation and route choice - which should hopefully challenge even those who are familiar with Oxford.
The event is part of the 2026 UKOL and UKUL leagues.
This event is paired with SOC's November Classic event on Sunday 1st November. Details can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming you to this year's Oxford City Race - if you have any questions, please do get in touch with us.
Courses
Course 1 11.5km
Entered: 0
Men's Open
UKUL: MO
Course 2 9.8km
Entered: 1
Women's Open, M40+
UKUL: WO, MV
Course 3 8.5km
Entered: 1
W40+, M55+
UKUL: WV, MSV
Course 4 6.5km
Entered: 0
W55+, M65+
UKUL: WSV, MUV
Course 5 5.2km
Entered: 0
W65+, W75+, M75+
UKUL: WUV, WHV, MHV
Course 6 4.0km
Entered: 0
This course avoids crossings of major roads and, as such, is suitable for M/W14+.
UKUL: MJ, WJ
Course 7 2.5km
Entered: 0
This course avoids any road crossings whatsoever. Suitable for M/W12-.
UKUL: MYJ, WYJ
Course lengths are the optimum course lengths, not the straight line distance, as per current BOF guidance. Please note that these course lengths are still provisional and may change slightly.
We are very happy to advise if any newcomers are unsure about which course would be best suited for them.
As per BOF guidance, under-16's must enter only Courses 6 or 7, which avoid major road crossings. Under-12's can enter only Course 7, which avoids any road crossings whatsoever. We also recommend that young and/or inexperienced juniors are accompanied on their courses.
To be competitive in UKUL / UKOL, please enter by your age class / category (MO, WSV etc). You may run 'up' an age class and still be competitive.
We are also offering 'Open' classes for all the courses. These can be entered by anyone. For example, they may be a good option for newcomers who do not want to run the course assigned to their age class. However, please note that the 'Open' classes will not be competitive in UKUL/UKOL.
If, for any reason, your run should be non-competitive, please either enter the 'Open' course or tick the 'Non-competitive' box in the entry form. Any questions about this should be directed to the organiser.
Entry Fees
***Please note that entries for under-18's are not yet open. We are in the final stages of confirming that juniors are allowed to attend the event. Entries for under-18's will be open very soon, thank you for your patience.***
Standard Entry Fees:
Senior BOF member: £16.50
Senior non-BOF member: £18.50
Junior / Student: £6.00
Senior SIAC hire: £2.00
Junior SIAC hire: Free
Oxford University Staff: 50% discount (please contact us for the discount code)
Late Entry Fees (from 23rd October):
Senior entries only have a £1.50 surcharge in the late entry stage.
Senior BOF member: £18.00
Senior non-BOF member: £20.00
Junior / Student: £6.00
Senior SIAC hire: £2.00
Junior SIAC hire: Free
Oxford University Staff: 50% discount (please contact us for the discount code)
Juniors are under 21 on 31st December.
There will be a charge of £60 for lost SIACs.
By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk.
A quick reminder for newcomers: If you’re not currently a member of British Orienteering, you won’t be covered by the organisation’s public liability insurance for this event. You’re very welcome to take part, but please be aware that you do so at your own risk. If you enjoy orienteering, why not join your local club (likely Thames Valley Orienteering Club): click here for link to British Orienteering Membership page.
Standard Entry Fees:
Senior BOF member: £16.50
Senior non-BOF member: £18.50
Junior / Student: £6.00
Senior SIAC hire: £2.00
Junior SIAC hire: Free
Oxford University Staff: 50% discount (please contact us for the discount code)
Late Entry Fees (from 23rd October):
Senior entries only have a £1.50 surcharge in the late entry stage.
Senior BOF member: £18.00
Senior non-BOF member: £20.00
Junior / Student: £6.00
Senior SIAC hire: £2.00
Junior SIAC hire: Free
Oxford University Staff: 50% discount (please contact us for the discount code)
Juniors are under 21 on 31st December.
There will be a charge of £60 for lost SIACs.
By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk.
A quick reminder for newcomers: If you’re not currently a member of British Orienteering, you won’t be covered by the organisation’s public liability insurance for this event. You’re very welcome to take part, but please be aware that you do so at your own risk. If you enjoy orienteering, why not join your local club (likely Thames Valley Orienteering Club): click here for link to British Orienteering Membership page.
Event Information
Final Details
When available, a link to the Final Details will be added here.
When available, a link to the Final Details will be added here.
Location
The event will be based in the Oxford University Parks. Assembly, Start and Finish are located within the Parks. The Start is ~500m from Assembly.
The event area covers the southern half of Oxford and will feature a range of colleges, departmental areas and parks. The courses this year will feature up to seven colleges!
The event will be based in the Oxford University Parks. Assembly, Start and Finish are located within the Parks. The Start is ~500m from Assembly.
The event area covers the southern half of Oxford and will feature a range of colleges, departmental areas and parks. The courses this year will feature up to seven colleges!
Parking
There will not be any dedicated parking provided for this event. There are a few paid public car parks around the city, please get in touch with us if you would like more information about these.
However, Oxford is a busy place, especially on a weekend morning! Generally, we strongly recommend that you use the Oxford Park&Ride service instead (https://www.oxford.gov.uk/parkandridesites). As of August 2026, they offer a "£3 combined ticket which covers return bus travel into Oxford and back for up to five people of any age and up to 16 hours' parking at Oxford's Park and Ride sites".
There will not be any dedicated parking provided for this event. There are a few paid public car parks around the city, please get in touch with us if you would like more information about these.
However, Oxford is a busy place, especially on a weekend morning! Generally, we strongly recommend that you use the Oxford Park&Ride service instead (https://www.oxford.gov.uk/parkandridesites). As of August 2026, they offer a "£3 combined ticket which covers return bus travel into Oxford and back for up to five people of any age and up to 16 hours' parking at Oxford's Park and Ride sites".
Facilities
There are public toilets available very close to Assembly.
Please bring your own water to drink.
There are public toilets available very close to Assembly.
Please bring your own water to drink.
Timings
Help, enquiries and SIAC hire: 10:00-13:00
Starts: 10.30-13:00
Courses close: 15:00
Help, enquiries and SIAC hire: 10:00-13:00
Starts: 10.30-13:00
Courses close: 15:00
Starts
The Start is located within University Parks and is approximately ~500m from Assembly.
There will be a 4 minute call-up. Please select a provisional start time when entering. Please be sure to choose one which will enable you to be back before courses close. It may be necessary for us to change your start time by a few minutes. Actual start times will be confirmed closer to the time.
General start times for Courses 1-5 are 10:30-13:00. Please note that Courses 6 and 7 have slightly restricted start times of 11:00-12:30.
The Start is located within University Parks and is approximately ~500m from Assembly.
There will be a 4 minute call-up. Please select a provisional start time when entering. Please be sure to choose one which will enable you to be back before courses close. It may be necessary for us to change your start time by a few minutes. Actual start times will be confirmed closer to the time.
General start times for Courses 1-5 are 10:30-13:00. Please note that Courses 6 and 7 have slightly restricted start times of 11:00-12:30.
Shadowing
Participants, especially juniors, are very welcome to be shadowed/accompanied on their course. In fact, for young and/or inexperienced juniors, we would recommend that they are accompanied on their course. If desired, we can provide extra maps for the shadowers for £2 and this can be requested via the entry form.
Please note that, in order for the shadowed competitor to still be competitive in UKUL and UKOL, shadowers should merely accompany and observe - and help only if absolutely necessary! If you would like to go round the course in a pair and be able to have more discussion, please enter separately and declare yourselves as non-competitive. If you have queries about this, please get in touch.
Any shadowers who want to be competitive on their own courses should run their own course first, before going out into the area as a shadower.
Participants, especially juniors, are very welcome to be shadowed/accompanied on their course. In fact, for young and/or inexperienced juniors, we would recommend that they are accompanied on their course. If desired, we can provide extra maps for the shadowers for £2 and this can be requested via the entry form.
Please note that, in order for the shadowed competitor to still be competitive in UKUL and UKOL, shadowers should merely accompany and observe - and help only if absolutely necessary! If you would like to go round the course in a pair and be able to have more discussion, please enter separately and declare yourselves as non-competitive. If you have queries about this, please get in touch.
Any shadowers who want to be competitive on their own courses should run their own course first, before going out into the area as a shadower.
Road Crossings
There are several road crossings on Courses 1-5. These have been planned to be diagonal and to avoid the busiest sections of the roads. There will not be any timed-out road crossings. However, in the majority of cases, there will be optional timed pedestrian crossings en route. Although the traffic in Oxford is generally not moving very quickly, we do anticipate that some of the roads will be busy on Saturday morning. Therefore, please take significant care when crossing any roads.
Course 6 avoids crossing any major roads, but does involve crossing some very quiet roads in the University Science Area. Course 7 avoids crossing any roads whatsoever.
Please make sure that juniors are accompanied when crossing roads on the way to and from the event.
There are several road crossings on Courses 1-5. These have been planned to be diagonal and to avoid the busiest sections of the roads. There will not be any timed-out road crossings. However, in the majority of cases, there will be optional timed pedestrian crossings en route. Although the traffic in Oxford is generally not moving very quickly, we do anticipate that some of the roads will be busy on Saturday morning. Therefore, please take significant care when crossing any roads.
Course 6 avoids crossing any major roads, but does involve crossing some very quiet roads in the University Science Area. Course 7 avoids crossing any roads whatsoever.
Please make sure that juniors are accompanied when crossing roads on the way to and from the event.
First Aid and A&E
First Aid will be provided by White Star Medical Services and will be available at the Assembly / Finish.
If you have any health conditions that you would like the organiser / first aid team to be aware of, you can let us know via the entry form. Additionally, there will be space for this information on the back of your race bib.
The nearest A&E department is at the John Radcliffe Hospital. This is located at Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU. The journey takes ~15 minutes (3.3 miles). Route cards will be available at Enquiries.
First Aid will be provided by White Star Medical Services and will be available at the Assembly / Finish.
If you have any health conditions that you would like the organiser / first aid team to be aware of, you can let us know via the entry form. Additionally, there will be space for this information on the back of your race bib.
The nearest A&E department is at the John Radcliffe Hospital. This is located at Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU. The journey takes ~15 minutes (3.3 miles). Route cards will be available at Enquiries.
Bibs
All competitors will be required to wear race bibs. These are crucial for allowing event officials and volunteers to identify you as a competitor. Anyone not wearing a race bib will not be allowed into the colleges. We request that you fill out the emergency and medical information on the reverse of the bibs. Bibs can be collected at Assembly on the day. There will be a list of names and corresponding bib numbers at Assembly too.
All competitors will be required to wear race bibs. These are crucial for allowing event officials and volunteers to identify you as a competitor. Anyone not wearing a race bib will not be allowed into the colleges. We request that you fill out the emergency and medical information on the reverse of the bibs. Bibs can be collected at Assembly on the day. There will be a list of names and corresponding bib numbers at Assembly too.
Map
The map has been updated for this event (Summer / Autumn 2026). Course specific details as below:
- Courses 1-3: 1:4000, 5m contours.
- Courses 4-7: 1:3000, 5m contours.
Please note: Courses 1-3 have a map flip.
Control descriptions will be printed on the map. Loose control descriptions will be available at the Start. Courses 6 and 7 have text control descriptions. All other courses have IOF control descriptions.
Previous maps of Oxford can be viewed on the OUOC routegadget.
The map has been updated for this event (Summer / Autumn 2026). Course specific details as below:
- Courses 1-3: 1:4000, 5m contours.
- Courses 4-7: 1:3000, 5m contours.
Please note: Courses 1-3 have a map flip.
Control descriptions will be printed on the map. Loose control descriptions will be available at the Start. Courses 6 and 7 have text control descriptions. All other courses have IOF control descriptions.
Previous maps of Oxford can be viewed on the OUOC routegadget.
Terrain and Out of Bounds
The area is a standard urban orienteering area. It includes the streets of Oxford as well as several colleges, departmental areas and parks, offering a good variety of fine navigation and route choice.
All courses will finish in University Parks and Courses 1 and 2 will also visit another park on the course. It is therefore recommended that you wear shoes suitable for grass as well as hard-standing.
There are numerous 'Out of Bounds' areas on the map, all marked with the standard symbols of either olive green or purple hashing. Many of these OOB areas are college quads and similar areas. Our continued use of the colleges for orienteering is contingent on our being respectful of the colleges, so please take particular care to not go into any OOB areas.
The area is a standard urban orienteering area. It includes the streets of Oxford as well as several colleges, departmental areas and parks, offering a good variety of fine navigation and route choice.
All courses will finish in University Parks and Courses 1 and 2 will also visit another park on the course. It is therefore recommended that you wear shoes suitable for grass as well as hard-standing.
There are numerous 'Out of Bounds' areas on the map, all marked with the standard symbols of either olive green or purple hashing. Many of these OOB areas are college quads and similar areas. Our continued use of the colleges for orienteering is contingent on our being respectful of the colleges, so please take particular care to not go into any OOB areas.
Conduct
Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.
Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in the Assembly and University Parks. They are, however, unfortunately not allowed on the longer courses (Courses 1-5).
Dogs are allowed in the Assembly and University Parks. They are, however, unfortunately not allowed on the longer courses (Courses 1-5).
Event Officials
Organiser / Planner: Carys Sharp & William Blackwell
Controller: Ben Green
Organiser / Planner: Carys Sharp & William Blackwell
Controller: Ben Green
