Oxford

Training session

Can’t see the views for the mist

13 GoodGymers made their way 38.6km on a training session in Oxford.

  • Jane Hotchen
  • Anwen Greenaway
  • Lorenzo
  • Bethan Greenaway
  • Trev
  • Julia
  • Vicky Arnold
  • Oxford runner
  • Ben Foster
  • Venetia Lipscombe
  • Samantha Drewett
  • Sophie Wilkinson
  • Hattie Elvins
 
Sunday, 11th of September 2022
 
Led by Anwen Greenaway

Our once-regular GoodGym Bromley tourist Tim devised a route several years ago taking in all the View Cones of Oxford - places from which the view of Oxford’s historic centre are meant to be protected. Having often talked about attempting the circuit this weekend we finally gave it a go.

The View Cone locations are:

  • Raleigh Park
  • Boars Hill
  • Hinksey Hill/A34 Interchange
  • Port Meadow
  • Elsfield
  • Doris Field Memorial Park
  • Headington Hill Allotments
  • South Park
  • Crescent Road
  • Rose Hill

We covered the 24 miles in 5 hours 40 minutes, discovering paths and parks we didn't know existed.

Number of view points - 10
Number of runners - 11
Number of (human) walkers - 4
Number of puppies - 1
Number of icecreams consumed - 6
Number of views missed due to mist - 3
Number of near face plants (just about saved) - 1
Overall pace of the runners - 14 minutes 10 per mile
Last walker standing went as far as Rose Hill
Number of people attempting further than they were really prepared for - all of us!!

It was lovely to spend the day exploring with the group, and fun to have people join for sections at a time as suited their schedule/distance they wanted to do. When the morning mist cleared the views were good, some even quite surprising, although we're really not sure where we're meant to go in Rose Hill for a view across Oxford! To our knowledge no-one other than us has attempted the route since this run in 2018, so we're now part of a very select group mad enough to try it! Great to get cheered into The Perch at the end by Julia and Vicky, and to have Samantha waiting there with a table already reserved.

If you fancy trying the route yourself the route map can be seen on Map my Run here or Strava here.

Report written by Anwen Greenaway


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