As part of our Things to do in Oxford series, Oxford EMI’s resident IT in Education Specialist Emma Procter-Legg shares some of her favourite spots to enjoy walking, jogging, and running in and around Oxford—from peaceful park loops to iconic race routes.

“We run not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and we cannot help ourselves.”

^{Sir Roger Bannister, First person to run a mile in under 4 minutes}

If you enjoy running as much as Oxford legend Sir Roger did (and I do!), Oxford is a wonderful place to lace up your trainers and explore. Whether you are here for a couple of weeks on the Oxford EMI summer programme or staying a little longer, there are plenty of ways to fit a run into your schedule.

What I like most is that running in Oxford can be whatever you want it to be: a peaceful lap of the park before breakfast, a riverside route past rowers and punts, a Saturday morning Parkrun, or even a session on one of the most famous running tracks in the world. If you love seeing a place on foot, hitting the trails is one of the absolute best ways to get a feel for Oxford.

University Parks

If you’re looking for a quintessential Oxford running route, University Parks is my regular  go-to. The paths are wide, flat and easy to follow, so it is ideal if you want a gentle run without needing to think too much while you soak in the views of the nearby college buildings. It’s always the first spot I recommend to visitors because it feels distinctively Oxford, safe, and vibrant, with plenty of fellow runners and walkers sharing the space.

It is also the home to the University Parks Parkrun — one of thousands of free, timed 5k that start every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM across the country. It’s an incredibly welcoming event, whether you want to push for a personal best (PB) or just enjoy the community atmosphere. If you fancy exploring a different part of town on the weekend, Oxford also hosts other great Parkruns around the city, including Oxford Parkrun (at Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park) and a little further away at Harcourt Hill or Horspath.

Just  remember to register online and bring your barcode if you decide to join any of these parkruns!

Track running

Another place I love is the Sir Roger Bannister running track at Iffley Road Sports Centre. I train there at least once a week, and it always feels special to run laps at such an iconic venue. The track is open to visitors through day passes, so if you are tempted to bring your sprint spikes or trainers and do a couple of laps, that is absolutely possible.

I recently ran the Roger Bannister Community Mile, which takes place in May to mark Roger Bannister’s historic record-breaking achievement, becoming the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, which took place on the 16th of May, 1954 on this track in Oxford. The Community Mile starts on St Aldates outside Christ Church College and finishes outside the track, so links the heart of the city with one of its great sporting landmarks.

Organised runs

If you enjoy the thrill of an organised race or want inspiration for your own sightseeing routes, Oxford has a fantastic event calendar. In the past, I have run the Oxford Half Marathon, which takes runners through the historic city centre and past some of Oxford’s most recognisable streets and landmarks.

Other Oxford running event highlights include:

• Teddy Hall Relays – Starting and finishing at the Iffley Road Track, this relay follows a scenic route through central Oxford, along the river past punts and rowers, and through Christ Church Meadow.
•  Run Jericho – Offering a 5k or 10k race, this event takes you through Jericho and out into Port Meadow. Port Meadow has a completely different feel from the city centre—its wide-open spaces and relaxed atmosphere offer a wonderful, rugged contrast to Oxford’s busier streets.
• The Christmas Fun Run – An annual festive run around Christ Church Meadow which I do every year and always enjoy. It is much more about holiday fun than getting PBs, as it is often very muddy at that time of year!
• The Oxford Tap Social 10K is a brand-new run starting and finishing at the TapSocial brewery, rewarding runners with a free half pint at the finish!

The absolute crown jewel of the local racing scene, however, is the annual Bidwells Oxford Town and Gown, which features both a scenic 10K and a junior 3K route. The race takes thousands of runners right through the historic city centre and along the River Cherwell to raise vital funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Oxford Canal Heritage Trail

The Oxford Canal Heritage Trail offers a completely different, slower-paced vibe. Walking or jogging along the towpath provides a flat, traffic-free route that takes you past historic narrowboats, weeping willows, and quiet countryside, making it feel miles away from the bustling city centre despite being right on its doorstep.

Depending on which direction you head, you can walk south toward the vibrant area of Jericho and the city centre, or head north for a peaceful stretch toward Kidlington. The path can get a little narrow and muddy in the winter months, but during a crisp morning or a sunny evening, it is easily one of the most scenic and tranquil walking or jogging corridors in Oxford.

Don’t forget your running kit!

What I like most is that Oxford offers routes and races to suit absolutely every kind of runner. So, even if you’re only here for a short stay, I would definitely recommend packing your kit. Hitting the trails and/or pounding the pavements is one of the best ways to see a different side of the city, and you might just find a new favourite route while you are here!

About the post writer

Emma Procter-Legg is the IT in Education specialist at Oxford EMI. She is a published researcher, project manager for the Association for Learning Technology and digital skills teacher for the IT Learning Centre at the University of Oxford. She has a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and has taught in a range of different contexts including international and further education colleges as well as higher education institutions. You can find out more about her on the Meet our Team page.