Keble Runs the Town (and Gown)
For the first time, at least in anyone’s memory, Keble entered a team into the Bidwells Town and Gown 10k run. Twenty-five runners stepped up to the challenge, from the JCR, MCR, SCR and staff.
The team was kitted out in specially designed running vests sponsored by Honorary Fellow, Robin Geffen (1976), and featuring a suitably athletic-looking dinosaur. We were pleased to be able to raise over £1300 for Child Bereavement UK.
This year, by happy coincidence, the start line was on Banbury Road right outside the H B Allen Centre, causing the Bursar to speculate that next time we should open up the café for refreshments. The route snaked through North Oxford and Norham Gardens before passing the front of the College on its way to Broad Street and, eventually, the University Parks. There were cheering onlookers all along the way, including the Director of Development, Jenny Tudge, and her two hounds.
The day was hot, though not as debilitating as last year’s scorcher. Thousands of pounding feet threw up clouds of dust on the Park’s dry paths. Mercifully, the course was mostly flat. All the Keble runners made it safely to the finish line where the rewards included a medallion, a bottle of water, and a banana.
The Town & Gown run first started in 1982. Now sponsored by local firm Bidwells, it aims to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK. There were over 5,000 finishers this year. Next year, we hope to field a bigger team and persuade more occasional runners to join in the fun. And of course, alumni can always sign up.
