News
ABINGDON MARATHON TO HOST MASTERS INTERNATIONAL
24/02/2025 00:00, In Blog /
Abingdon will host the final Masters Road International of 2025 within the Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 19 October 2025.
The Masters International programme between England and Wales started in July 2022 since then it has grown significantly with eleven events being held over distances from 5km to marathon. In the past three years the marathon international has been held within the Chester marathon and after recommendations from athletes who have previously competed in the Abingdon Marathon, we are delighted to have agreed with the organisers of the Abingdon Marathon to host the Masters International within their race.
Bernie Jones, Welsh Athletics Masters Advisory Group Chair said:
“Since July 2022 over 300 different athletes, ranging from 35 to 75 years of age, have represented Wales at Master Internationals, with the level of competition increasing year on year.”
In October 2025, over 300 Masters athletes from Wales and England will compete alongside the masses in the Abingdon Marathon and the athletes can’t wait. With some of our younger masters running under 2 hours 30 minutes we are hoping they will add to the quality of an already exciting race.“
Chris Hollinshead, England Athletics Masters Co-ordinator said:
"Abingdon will be the climax of the 2025 international road race series and should see some fantastic racing as the quality of masters running continues to go from strength to strength. We have athletes ranging from 35 to 75+ and with the course being a lapped course it will provide plenty of opportunity to support our athletes as they battle for the top 3 age group slots over 26.2 miles. We would like to say thank you to the team at Abingdon Marathon for agreeing to host this year’s representative race."
Co-Race Directors Nichola Poulton and Kate Brook at the Abingdon Marathon added:
"The volunteer committee at the Abingdon Marathon are delighted and honoured to be able to the England and Wales Masters International this year. Whilst we are not one of the big-name city marathons, we do have a 40-year history of organising a fast, flat and very friendly marathon with a reputation to match.
Run by runners, for runners, and with all proceeds going to local charities and sporting organisations, we look forward to seeing the Masters on the start line in October.”
Other races in the Masters International for 2025 include: the 5km within the Festival of Running at Shrewsbury in May; Swansea University Half Marathon in June; the Great North 10km (Newcastle) in July and the Marathon in October. For the first time in 2025 there will also be a Trail Half Marathon International which will be held in the Forest of Dean in September.
Eligible athletes can express an interest in the marathon or any other of the Master International event via the following link:
Closing dates for the 5km and half marathon is fast approaching with the selection date for those two events taking place on 9 April and selection for the 10km and marathon taking place on 4 June. Further details are available from the Chair of the Masters Advisory Group Bernie Jones: