in Oxford University Club Hurriers (OUCH)

Oxford University Club Hurriers (OUCH)

(formerly Mansfield Road Runners)

The Running Group of the University Club

Queries: email anu.dudhia@physics.ox.ac.uk

[Facebook Group]

[Strava]

Contents

Introduction

The Oxford University Club provides social and sports facilities for staff and postgraduate students who do not have access to college facilities.

There are also monthly Handicap Runs.

Further details can be obtained from Anu Dudhia (anu.dudhia@physics.ox.ac.uk) or by subscribing yourself to the e-mail list

Diary

Thursday, 30th July, 18:30
Running from the University Club
Richard to choose the route.
Afterwards: pub [tbd]
OUCH Target Event
Saturday, 8th August, 09:00
University Parks Parkrun

Thursday, 20th August, 18:30
Handicap Run (anticlockwise)
Send me any times by 7:30pm.

Statistics

Race Stats

Cumulative Distance [Prev] for formal races entered by OUCH members over the last 12 months (top 10 runners, by total race distance, only).
Data source: [race_stats.txt] 		Parkrun times for OUCH runners with more than 20 runs in the past year (number of runs shown in brackets after name, excluding any times slower than 1.5× median time).

Solid bars indicate fastest, median, slowest times and the box covers the middle 50% percentile. Solid circles are the latest run, open circles the previous run. Lighter symbols to the right shows results excluding the last 4 runs, i.e. indicating how these have changed over the last 4 runs.

Regular runs

Here is the unnecessarily, but satisfyingly, complicated scheme to decide who picks the route each week:

Steering Committee

  1. Richard
  2. Anu
  3. Jason
  4. Alan
(Below) Histograms show attendance for past 10 weeks and past 50 weeks (limited to top 15 runners). Outline columns show previous week's stats, figures in brackets are change in the average compared to the previous week. Colour indicates number of consecutive runs up to the most recent run (red=1, orange=2 etc).

Maps of some local runs

Runs starting and finishing at the University Club in Mansfield Rd. "all road" routes are suitable for night-time runs and, usually, all weather conditions although note that the cycle track out to Marston Rd is prone to flooding [Cycle Path Status]

Maps of other local routes can be found on the Headington Road Runners Website.

Most of the above maps have been produced using the (free) tools available on either of:

OUCH e-mail list

Events and Results

Some events we have entered over the past 2 years (chronological order)

Bonn 1/2 M

www.ahotu.com/event/deutsche-post-marathon-bonn

19th April, 2026 10552 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 1:50:23 1:50:34 2868th 22nd/193 W50
6th April, 2025 3039 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 1:49:39 1:53:38 446th 18th/279 W50
23rd April, 2023 4630 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 1:48:08 1:48:58 129th/1548 W 12th/124 W50

Return to list of events

Didcot 5m

www.didcotrunners.org.uk/didcot-5

6th July 2025 280 inished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Alan Darbyshire 32:43 32:45 41st 2nd/36 MV60
Bob Wells 42:10 42:24 16th 24th/36 MV60

Return to list of events

Drachenlauf 26km

drachenlauf.net

Also 1050m of climbing.

26th October 2025 492 inished [Full Results]
Name Time Position Category
Victoria Bennett 3:12:04 348th 8th/14 W50
27th October 2024 529 inished [Full Results]
Name Time Position Category
Victoria Bennett 3:18:21 353rd 4th/13 W50

Return to list of events

Kottenforst 10k

www.beueler10er.de/kottenforst10er

4th May 2025 263 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 49:48 50:05 123rd 3rd/6 W50

Return to list of events

Loewenburglauf 15.2km

www.beueler10er.de/loewenburglauf-2

14th September 2025 209 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 1:23:21 1:23:26 102nd 3rd/13 W50
15th September 2024 157 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 1:28:06 1:28:16 104th 4th/8 W50

Return to list of events

San Silvestre Malaga 10k

27th December 2024 1027 finished [Full Results]
Name Gun Position
Jolyon Reburn 41:17 134th, 9th/115 M50
Victoria Bennett 50:19 379th, 2nd/32 F50

Return to list of events

Nine Edges 20m

https://edalemrt.co.uk/

20th September 2025 177 finished [Full Results]
Name Time Position
Richard Plater 4:46:12 161st, 10th/10 MV60

Return to list of events

Otmoor Challenge

otmoorchallenge.com

An informal event held in conjunction with the Horton-cum-Studley village fete. Approximately half-marathon distance around Otmoor with about half the distance on roads and the rest on tracks.
It was sunny and hot with not much escape to the shade. The rough ground was hard and uneven - good ankle strengthening in the longest field in the world (miles 8 and 9) followed by the longest hill in the world at mile 10. Nice route, but the longest "half-marathon" in the world, with good cakes and tea and a very jolly fete afterwards. - V&J 2006
31st May 2025 221 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Alan Darbyshire 1:36:26 1:36:29 17th 1st/26 MV60
1st June 2024 225 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Alan Darbyshire 1:36:38 1:36:45 29th 1st/26 MV60
Alexandra Crai 1:55:12 1:55:24 109th 9th/26 WS
Radu Cimpeanu 2:15:20 2:15:31 177th 38th/42 MS
Stuart Higgs 2:29:46 2:30:01 213th 47th/48 MV50
1st July 2023 194 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jason Smith 1:29:02 1:29:04.3 5th 1st/44 MV50
Alan Darbyshire 1:35:26 1:35:28 16th 1st/17 MV60
Richard Plater 1:51:32 1:51:37 62nd 19th/44 MV50
Alexandra Crai 2:02:56 2:03:02 117th 14th/25 WS
Emily Baldock 2:07:24 2:07:45 129th 11th/20 WV40
Stuart Higgs 2:16:30 2:16:40 150th 39th/44 MV50
Radu Cimpeanu 2:20:05 2:20:14 156th 31st/32 MS

8th June, 2019 (325 finished) [Full Results]
3rd June 2017 (280 finished) [Full Results]

7th June 2014 (335 finished) [Full Results]

1st June 2013 (353 finished) [Full Results]

5th June 2010 (296 finished) [Full Results]

6th June 2009 (358 finished) [Full Results]

7th June 2008 (315 finished) [Full Results]

3rd June 2006 (353 started)

4th June 2005 (? started)

5th June 2004 (403 started?)

1st June 2002

2nd June 2001 (274 finished, slightly shortened course)

3rd June 2000 (more than 300 finished)

5th June 1999 (284 finished)

6th June 1998

7th June 1997

1st June 1996

4th June 1994 ("About 250" entries)

5th June 1993

Return to list of events

Oxford Town and Gown 10K

www.townandgown10k.com/oxford/


A 10K on home ground including the University Parks.
10th May 2026 5806 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Anu Dudhia 46:31 48:16 981st 22nd/214 M60
Xavier Laurent 46:52 47:21 1033rd 79th/475 M50
Jon Mason 46:57 48:17 1045th 181st/537 M40
11th May 2025 5134 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Xavier Laurent 46:05 46:18 528th 43rd/436 M50
Alexandra Crai 48:49 49:43 864th 132nd/2435 F
12th May 2024 4360 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Emily Baldock 1:06:02 1:14:13 3044th 162nd W50
14th May 2023 3996 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jason Smith 39:22 39:27 142nd 8th M50
Emily Baldock 58:46 1:01:44 2237th 124th F40
8th May 2022 3648 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jason Smith 38:35 38:41 114th 4th MV50
Alexandra Crai 49:18 50:15 915th 121st FS
Radu Cimpeanu 56:18 58:24 1830th 701st MS
Emily Baldock 58:30 58:55 1897th 148th FV40
Lily Foki 1:01:55 1:03:56 2409th 12th FV60
27th June 2021 2045 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jan Mol 40:12 50:46 125th 118th/1085 Male
Alexandra Crai 50:41 1:32:37 746th 160th/960 Female
Radu Cimpeanu 51:36 1:33:10 587th 618th/1085 Male

12th May 2019 (4481 finished) [Full Results]

13th May 2018 (3954 finished) [Full Results]

14th May 2017 (3665 finished) [Full Results]

15th May 2016 (3561 finished) [Full Results]

10th May 2015 (2829 finished) [Full Results]

11th May 2014 (3265 finished) [Full Results]

12th May 2013 (3020 finished) [Full Results]

13th May 2012 (2361 finished) [Full Results]

15th May 2011 (2666 finished) [Full Results]

16th May 2010 (2647 finished) [Full Results]

17th May 2009 (2619 finished) [Full Results]

18th May 2008 (2666 finished) [Full Results]

20th May 2007 (2743 finished) [Full Results]

21st May 2006 (2846 finishers were timed)
The official times and positions are based on "gun" time, but chip times are now also published on the web-site.

15th May 2005 (2915 finishers were timed)

16th May 2004 (2522 finished)

18th May 2003 (2100 finished) [Full Results]

19th May 2002 (1992 finished) [Full Results]

20th May 2001 (>2000 finished)

21st May 2000 (1404 finished)

16th May 1999 (1401 finished)

17th May 1998 (1261 finished)

May 1996

May 1995

8th May 1994

9th May 1993 (1470 finished)

12th May 1991

13th May 1990 (approx 1000 finished)

Return to list of events

Park Run 5km

www.parkrun.org.uk

A national series of weekly 5km runs at 9am on Saturday mornings. Free to enter, but requires registration. Among OUCH runners, the most popular local runs are

OUCH Participants

Return to list of events

Silverstone Run Fest (5k/10k/HalfM)

www.silverstonerunfest.com

(Apparently there was an error measuring the 2024 Half Marathon distance).

Half Marathon
24th Nov 2024 1979 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Stuart Higgs 2:18:48 2:22:46 1643rd 138/161 MV50

Return to list of events

White Horse Half Marathon

www.whitehorseharriers.org/halfmarathon.html

Grove, near Wantage.

It was a nice race; very well-organised, good atmosphere and the weather this year was perfect with about 11*C and sun - EE 2012

6th April 2025 451 finshed [Full Results}
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Alan Darbyshire 1:33:34 1:33:41 91st 5th/28 V60
10th April 2022 402 finshed [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Alan Darbyshire 1:31:23 1:31:28 63rd 11th/82 V50

7th April 2019 (500 finished) [Full Results]
8th April 2018 (457 finished) [Full Results]
3rd April 2016 (450 finished) [Full Results]

29th March 2015 (471 finished) [Full Results]

6th April 2014 (488 finished) [Full Results]

7th April 2013 (425 finished) [Full Results]

1st April 2012 (443 finished) [Full Results]

10th April, 2011 (458 finished) [Full Results (PDF)]

11th April, 2010 (440 finished) [Full Results (PDF)]

5th April, 2009 (486 finished) [Full Results (PDF)]

1st April, 2007 (453 finished) [Provisional Results]

Return to list of events

Winter's End 50m Ultra

bigfeatevents.eventrac.co.uk/e/winters-end-50-mile-ultra-and-marathon-12360

21st March, 2026 111 finished [Full Results]
Name Time Position Category
Jon Mason 9:28:14 19th 4th/27 MV40

ZeroHungerRun Bonn (5/10k)

https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/zerohungerrun-bonn-fundraising-run/faq

28th September, 2025 5k: 1592 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 24:13 24:34 162nd 1st/34 W50
10k: 988 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jolyon Reburn 39:10 39:15 18th, 2nd/7 M55
Victoria Bennett 50:03 50:15 233rd, 3rd/21 W50
22nd September, 2024 5k: 1422 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 24:07 24:12 129th
10k: 904 finished [Full Results}
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 51:08 51:14 210th, 4th W50
10th September, 2023 5k: 1016 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Jolyon Reburn 19:24 19:25 16th 2nd M55
10k: 554 finished [Full Results]
Name Chip Gun Position Category
Victoria Bennett 48:37 48:39 78th 1st W50

Return to list of events

Documents

History

Officers since 2005 (when officers were first elected)

YearPresidentSecretaryTreasurer
2015 Jolyon Reburn Sophie Kendall Stuart Higgs
2014 Alan Darbyshire Richard Plater Jolyon Reburn
2013 Emily Baldock Jason Smith Richard Plater
2012 Jason Smith Julie Radcliffe Melissa Highton
2011 Victoria Bennett Dave Coote Richard Plater
2010 Graeme Coates Vijay D'Silva Melissa Highton
2009 Simon Webster Graeme Coates Phelim Daniels
2008 Phelim Daniels Julie Deacon Mark Thompson
2007 Graeme Coates Natasha Thomas Anu Dudhia
2006 Victoria Jay Graeme Coates Alan Darbyshire
2005 Anu Dudhia Jolyon Reburn Graeme Coates

The running group can trace its origins back to 1974 when a group from the Atmospheric Physics Department met weekly at Iffley Road cinder running track (where Roger Bannister ran the first 4-minute mile) for some general fitness training. Afterwards we used to have a drink in the local pub The Fir Tree (re-named to The Old Ale House in 1999). Over the years weight and circuit training became less popular with the participants and, since the boom in the early 1980s, running has become the sole activity (other than the post-training fluid replacement therapy sessions).

The origins of the running group are difficult to define precisely. However, the following records have been extracted from an old diary.

Wednesday 9th January 1974

Wednesday 23rd January 1974

Thursday 24th January 1974

One such response might be of general interest :- 



Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 10:16:51 +1300 (NZDT)
From: "Dr Bryan N. Lawrence, Physics and Astronomy, UOC" {phys009@cantua.canterbury.ac.nz}
Subject: Re: Sorry - I forgot
To: "Bob Wells Tel: +44/0 1865 272915" {WELLS@av1.physics.ox.ac.uk}
Reply-to: b.lawrence@phys.canterbury.ac.nz

> http://www.atm.ox.ac.uk/user/wells/mrr.html

Damn, I'll never be able to claim I was quicker than 1.49 ...

Looks good. Mind you, if i'd ever read that before I came running the
first time I would have been scared off ... it all sounds so serious. I'd
put more about the pub sessions right in the first sentence. And mention
the Angel in the first paragraph ... but then that shows my priorities.

Links to some running sites
Any comments on this page may be addressed to anu.dudhia@physics.ox.ac.uk