Marathon races near Thatcham

A midweek run to chase personal bests. The course follows the River Thames. Runners can complete it multiple times within the 7-hour limit.

The Abingdon Marathon begins at 9am from Tilsley Park in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and has been run since 1982. It is one of the UK’s older marathons, featuring a flat, fast, mostly road course that attracts runners aiming for personal bests and those seeking a first marathon that feels manageable. The race is organized by runners for runners, with a committee bringing over 125 combined years of experience. Club runners come from across the country, entries can sell out, and the event operates strictly not-for-profit, with surplus funds allocated to local charities and selected organizations.

The Remembrance Run South is a running event for Remembrance Day featuring a 7 hour and 2 minute time challenge. Participants select their desired distance, starting with a minimum of 3km. There is no set race distance beyond the number of laps they choose to complete. At 11:00 AM, the event stops for a two-minute silence to honor fallen service members; these two minutes are deducted from official finish times. A full lap is typically 4.37 miles (7km), but the loop may change to 3.28 miles if course conditions necessitate. The route also incorporates 3k and 5k turn points, offering younger runners and those seeking a shorter distance a defined option within the same event structure.

The Christmas Jumper Jaunt is a December midweek running and walking event along the River Thames, where participants are encouraged to wear their loudest Christmas jumper. It uses a seven-hour time-challenge format, allowing participants to choose their own distance rather than race a fixed one. The shortest official finish is 3km, with a medal awarded to all who reach this mark. A full lap is typically 4.37 miles (7km), though the loop may change to 3.28 miles depending on course conditions. The event aims to keep midweek running affordable, with the listed entry price available to members, who also receive guaranteed entry and a mini-me medal pin at each event they attend. The signed course follows well-made paths and tarmac beside the Thames, with only a very short grass section, meaning road shoes are suitable year-round. There are 3k and 5k turn points within the lap, which also assist younger runners in adhering to UK Athletics distance rules. Participants can stop after a short outing or continue adding laps: three laps constitute a half marathon, six laps a marathon, and seven or more count as an ultra, with a 50km option also available. Walkers are welcome alongside runners, and the flexible start window allows participants to use the event for various purposes, from a relaxed festive outing to a long-distance target. Finishers who complete a half-marathon distance or more can add a distance pin to their medal.

The Christmas Day Cracker Run is a run-or-walk event held on Christmas Day for people who want to put on trainers before, instead of, or around the usual presents, drinks, and dinner. The next edition is the sixth running, and the field is open to runners of all abilities rather than only club runners or fast entrants. The course can be completed at a run or a walk, so it suits people treating Christmas morning as a race, a steady outing, or a social stretch of the legs. Members get the lowest entry price, a £10 discount, guaranteed entry, and a mini-me medal pin at every event they attend.