# Woodstock Harriers Athletic Club > A running community from **Woodstock**, Oxfordshire and the surrounding villages. Our aim is to provide a platform for people of all ages and abilities to develop and improve their fitness and running ability in a friendly and sociable environment. Woodstock Harriers train throughout the year. All abilities are catered for and all are welcome. The club also manages WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram groups. Training is fun and training with a group usually makes things easier. We look forward to seeing you soon. ## About Woodstock Harriers - Woodstock Harriers Athletic Club was originally formed in 1924 when it comprised about 30 to 40 active members competing chiefly in local cross-country events. In addition, the Club participated in some track races, the home venue being a grass track inside Blenheim Park, by kind permission of the then Duke of Marlborough. Due to the onset of the Second World War, the Club became inactive, it was disbanded and was not reformed until the early 1980s. - In 1982 the Club became affiliated to the various county, regional and national Associations and specialised mainly in Marathon and Ultra-Marathon events. In those days, although membership was no more than 15, individual and team honours were abundant and included team victories in the prestigious 55-mile London to Brighton Road Running Race and individual and team honours in many other races including the Isle of Wight Marathon. - Membership has steadily increased, especially after the COVID pandemic and we now have over 100 competing members (60 men & 40 women) plus 30 ordinary non-competing members. The club is affiliated to UK Athletics, England Athletics, South of England Athletics, and Oxfordshire Athletics. - Club colours are a yellow vest with a thick horizontal black band, usually with black shorts. The original pre-war colours were a white vest with two thin horizontal black bands. --- ## Joining Woodstock Harriers - An application form for membership is available for applicants to fill in on the web site. Those joining the club between January and March have their membership extended for free through to the following March. The club fee is £15 for the 2026/27 year and free for juniors under the age of 18 years. - Those wishing to race 1st claim for the club must apply for an England Athletics' licence, which costs an additional £23 in 2026/27. - Those wishing to join after taking part in the club's Couch-to-5K course can deduct money already paid against the full club fee. - Those transfering from another club must fill in an England Athletics transfer form, obtain agreement from their previous club, and pay an additional transfer fee, currently £10. - Racing vests and training T-shirts in club colours are available at a cost of £25 each. Club athletes are expected to wear clothing in club colours in races where there is team participation. Other Woodstock Harriers' merchandise is also available including sweat shirts, jackets and hats. --- ## Club Handicap Competition - There are two club handicap competitions, one for road races during the Summer and the other for the Oxfordshire Cross-Country League during the Winter. Held for over 20 years, the club handicap competition allows members of differing abilities to compete against each other, adjusted using a system of time weights that aim to equalise performance at the start of the season and reward the best improved runners over a series of races. --- ## Training - Woodstock Harriers trains on Tuesday nights in Blenheim Park during the Winter and on the Marlborough Secondary School grass track during the Summer. Coaching is led by a qualified coach. - Social runs take place on Thursday evenings from Blenheim Park Town Gate and on Saturday mornings from a member's house. A longer run or race is usually arranged on Sunday mornings. --- ## Races - Woodstock Harriers as a club take part in all the Oxfordshire Grand Prix road race series events, the mid-week Mota-vation evening road race events, and a several local team relay races, such as the Oxfordshire Green Belt relay and the Oxford University Teddy Hall relay. - In the Winter, the club enters both male and female teams in the Oxfordshire Cross-Country League, which attracts several hundred competitors from over twenty local clubs. - Individual members race in many other events, both in the UK and abroad. There is strong interest in off-road ultra challenges, such as the Race to the Stones. --- ## Woodstock 12 - Woodstock Harriers have organised a twelve mile running race comprising three laps of Blenheim Park for over forty years. The Woodstock 12 is part of the Oxfordshire Grand Prix and has been a county championship event in the past. - The undulating course, nearly traffic free, comprises one long hill, circles the lake and traverses an ancient oak forest, home to deer and wild bees, with scenic views of the Palace, Grand Bridge and Park. --- ## Social Events - Woodstock Harriers has a yearly Christmas Dinner and Prize Presentation at a local venue. In addition, group picnics and arranged team travel to more distant races are organised. --- ## Privacy Policy - The club has a comprehensive data protection and privacy policy. All club members, whether competive or not, are registered with England Athletics. --- ## Inclusion Policy - The club follows England Athletics' inclusion policy. --- ## Safeguarding Code of Conduct - The club follows England Athletics' safeguarding code of conduct. Coaches and athletics officials are DBS checked. ---