ORGANISERS have set their sights on the Oxford Vitality Half Marathon becoming a mainstay on the running calendar to rival the likes of Paris and Berlin.

The half marathon, now in its fifth year, will start and finish for the first time in St Giles when the starting gun is fired on October 11.

Race organiser Jamie Warren said the move was a bid to put Oxford on the map to compete with marathons in the capital cities of Europe.

Mr Warren added the new course would see runners enjoying the architecture and sights of the city more than the previous route, which started and finished at the Kassam Stadium.

The 33-year-old said: “You have people going to places in Europe like Berlin and Paris but there is no reason why the race in Oxford can’t be the same.

“The route before did not take in the best of Oxford at all, but this year, for the first time, people will see the best of the city.

“The route is also flat and fast this time so people aiming for personal bests will have a good time.”

Runners will run through Magdalen Street, Broad Street, Holywell Street, St Cross Road, South Parks Road and Parks Road before taking in part of Banbury Road, turning around at Carlton Road, and running back down Banbury Road heading to Marston Ferry Road.

From here competitors will run through Oxford Road, Elsfield Road, Marsh Lane, Elms Drive and Cherwell Drive, before heading back along Marston Ferry Road and into Banbury Road.

Then in the city centre, they will head along Norham Gardens and Fyfield Road, before turning around and heading back down the two roads and into University Parks.

Finally, after running alongside the River Cherwell, they will then race through St Cross Road, Holywell Street and Catte Street, looping around the Radcliffe Camera, heading into Broad Street and Magdalen Street and crossing the finish line in St Giles.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “I am delighted that the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon will take place in Oxford city centre this year.

“I ran in the first Oxford Half Marathon and I am looking forward to taking part again this year.

“The half marathon promises to be a tour of the most beautiful parts of the city, from the Radcliffe Camera and The Sheldonian Theatre to Oxford University Parks and Marston village, and will also help raise much-needed money for charities.”

IT consultant Simon Hodking, who will be running his third Oxford Half Marathon this year, said: “There are a lot of double loops this year where you run out and then run back in again.

“The route has been chosen to make the most of Oxford but I think the old route did that because you got to see an Oxford that was not just the tourist side of it so I’m a little disappointed.”

The race will be sponsored for the first time by Brooks Sportswear.