Oxfordshire Athletics

With some reluctance, the clubs in Oxfordshire have made a unanimous decision against running any track and field competition in Oxfordshire in the current season.

Read the more recent statement on competition in 2020

I hope you are coping in the continued lockdown and that the movement towards some relaxation is going to help you.

I thought it time to offer an update on where we are with plans for what remains of the 2020 season.

Warm congratulations to Andrew Clough who has been awarded the Level 4 qualification as a Race Walk Judge.

In light of the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 virus, the organising group from the Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire AAs has made the decision to cancel the joint County Championships, scheduled for 30 - 31 May 2020.

The organising group from Bucks & Oxon AA fully appreciate and understand the concerns that are being expressed about this year’s Championships. The situation is under constant review and a firm decision about whether to go ahead or to postpone or cancel will be made by the beginning of April at the latest.

In line with the England Athletics statement of 17th March - https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/ - we can confirm that all track and field events planned for April in Oxfordshire have now been cancelled (or postponed).

There has also been confirmation of some later cancellations, including:

Amidst all the bad news, we’d like to extend our belated congratulations to Richard Hart who has added Level 1 Starter/Starter’s Assistant to his armory of officiating qualifications.

Alan Corfield, a former County AA Treasurer and senior official, passed away in February 2020.

Born in London on 20 May 1933, Alan joined Highgate Harriers at the age of 16 in 1949 and, along with wife June, offered huge support to that club over many years, as an athlete timekeeper, cross country team manager, and President. In recognition of these services, he was awarded Life Membership by the club. 

Whilst the Senior Men’s race was the last event of the day, starting at 2:45pm, the day began early for the team. Having a niggling cough the day before the race Johnny Cornish attempted a short run first thing, only to find he was still coughing. Given the current circumstances, Johnny did not wish to potentially infect other athletes, so reluctantly he withdrew from the race.

The Oxfordshire Senior Ladies team finished in 9th place out of a total of 26 completed teams at the CAU Cross Country Championships held at Prestwold near Loughborough on Saturday. Given that Oxfordshire is a very small county compared with the likes of Yorkshire this was an amazing performance. It was almost certainly the highest ever placing for an Oxfordshire Senior Ladies team.