Oxford University Track
6 lane synthetic track in Oxford, Oxfordshire · OX4 1EQ
Athletics and running track in Oxford
Oxford University Track serves runners, clubs and schools around Oxford, Oxfordshire. You'll find it at Oxford University Sports Centre, Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1EQ. Access is restricted, so check with the operator or a resident club before turning up. Headington RRC, Oxford University AC, Oxford University Cross Country Club train here, and their sessions are usually the quickest route in if you're new to the venue. No floodlighting is recorded here, so plan winter sessions for daylight. Facilities, lane count, surface and charges are all listed below, along with any upcoming events, so you can work out whether it suits the session you have in mind before travelling.
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Facilities at Oxford University Track
1x high jump bed
2x pole vault runways
2x long jump pits
1x shot put circle
2x discus cages
1x hammer cage
1x javelin runway
Inside track, height fixed
Full in stadium building
499 covered
Athletics clubs at Oxford University Track
More about Oxford University Track
Oxford University had a cinder track at the Marston Ground from 1867 but it was built on clay and was often flooded, or became so soggy it was unusable. A decision was thus made to build a new track at Iffley Road. The ground, leased from Christchurch College, was levelled in September 1876. The contractor, Mr Hobdell, used nine inches of burnt ballast as a foundation and four inches of fine cinders as the top dressing. The work was finished only 48 hours before the first meeting, which was the University Freshmen's Sports on 29-30 November 1876. Like Marston, the track was one-third of a mile round. Iffley Road was rebuilt as a 440y track on Roger Bannister's initiative in the post-war period, and there is a photo in "First Four Minutes" of the new track under construction. It was opened by the Vice-Chancellor in 1950, two years after Bannister's speech proposing a new track and also had a 220y straight. He subsequently recorded the legendary 3:59.4 mile on 6th May 1954 on the track. There is some footage of the actual race in the film 'The Four Minute Mile'. The track was officially opened as a synthetic (Chevron 440) track on 4th May 1977 although the work had been carried out in 1976. It was resurfaced in 1989 with Spurtan V. The track is now fairly worn and the LJ/TJ and PV runways are particularly bad. The capacity of the stand has been reduced to 499 to save money because, as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy, the cost of maintaining ones with 500 or more is substantially higher. The DT/HT cage is situated in an adjoining field and was built in Feb 2000 to replace the old external which was lost when an all-weather pitch was built over it several years ago. Click here to read details of the revamped Bannister track officially opened by Seb Coe on 10th May 2007.
Common questions about Oxford University Track
Can anyone use Oxford University Track?
Access to Oxford University Track is restricted, so check with the operator or a club that trains there before you go.
When is Oxford University Track open?
Opening times on record for Oxford University Track: Mon-Sun 0700-Dusk. Club times (exclusive, term-time only) Tue & Thu eves.
How much does it cost to use Oxford University Track?
Charges on record for Oxford University Track: Adult £1.50, Junior unknown.
What surface is Oxford University Track, and how many lanes does it have?
Oxford University Track is a 400m synthetic running track with 6 lanes and an 8 lane straight.
Does Oxford University Track have floodlights?
Not as far as we know. Oxford University Track has no floodlighting recorded, so plan winter sessions for daylight.
Is Oxford University Track a certified athletics track?
Not as far as we know. The restricted certificate on file for Oxford University Track expired on 31 March 2005, so treat times run there as unofficial unless the venue confirms a newer one.
What field event facilities does Oxford University Track have?
Oxford University Track has a high jump bed, 2 pole vault runways, 2 long jump pits, a triple jump pit, a shot put circle, 2 discus cages, a hammer cage, a javelin runway and a steeplechase water jump (inside track, height fixed).
Does Oxford University Track have changing rooms?
Yes. Oxford University Track has full changing facilities in the stadium building.
Which running and athletics clubs train at Oxford University Track?
Headington RRC, Oxford University AC and Oxford University Cross Country Club train at Oxford University Track.
Where is Oxford University Track?
Oxford University Track is at Oxford University Sports Centre, Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1EQ.
What other running tracks are near Oxford University Track?
The nearest other running tracks to Oxford University Track are Horspath Athletics Track (2.4 miles), The Radford Track in Abingdon (3.5 miles) and Tilsley Park Track in Abingdon (4.3 miles).
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