28 February 2027
Event Announcement
By kind permission of Banbury Harriers Running Club we have taken over the organisation and hosting of the Banbury 15 running race.
Over the years this has been a fabulous, challenging 15 mile road running event that’s both a race to target but also ideal training for Spring marathons like the London Marathon (and Worcester Marathon!!).
The last race took place in 2025 so after a years break we’re bringing it back in 2027 and we’re looking forward to you joining us.
Event Info
Historically know as the Geoff Smith Banbury 15, (we think) the first race was held in 1995.
With a start and finish based from Spiceball Country Park, the route heads North up the Southam Road using the footpaths. Passing through the village of Little Bourton the route then flows through country roads heading to Great Bourton, Cropready, and Claydon. The route loops back towards Cropready and then returning back through Great Bourton and doing the reverse of the first 4 miles back to Spiceball Country Park.
Registration
Pre-Enter
Click on the red button to enter online. You will be collecting chips and numbers on race day.
There will be no entries on Race Day
Start Time
The race starts at 10am
Prices
Affiliated runners £35
Unaffiliated runners £37
There is also a small transaction fee.
Event Location
There are various public car parks on Cherwell Drive and Spiceball Park Road, all within a few minutes of Race HQ and the race start / finish. Parking charges will apply. We recommend that you do NOT park at the Leisure Centre itself or the upper floor Lidl car park as these both have time restrictions (short stay only).
Getting to the Race
Leave M40 Junction 11. At roundabout take A422/Hennef Way towards Banbury. Go straight on at the next roundabout, continuing on the A422/Hennef Way. Turn left at the next roundabout onto Concord Avenue towards the Town Centre. Turn right at the next roundabout onto Cherwell Drive, from where you can access various car parks.
From Warwick Oxford or Coventry take the Castle Street exit at the Warwick/Southam Rd Traffic Lights.
Prizes
Prizes will be handed out on the day in the finish area. There are prizes for the first 3 finishers of each gender (male and female) and the first in each age group receives starting from 35 and going up in 10 year increments. If an age group winner also finishes in the top 3 then the age group prize rolls down to the next finisher.
Medals will be awarded to all finishers.
Withdrawal Policy
Up to six weeks prior to the race entrants will receive a full refund less a £2.00 admin fee.
After this deadline, no refunds are offered unless the runner comes to help marshal on the day. However an entry may be transferred to another runner on provision of full details prior to the race.
In the event of the race being cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control we will attempt to reschedule to a later date in the same year and all entries will transfer to that rescheduled date.
If this proves impossible we will offer entrants either a percentage refund or the option to donate that refund to the race charity.
The percentage refunded / donated will depend on costs incurred at the time of cancellation.
All contact should be made by email.
Baggage and Toilets
We have arranged for changing facilities, showers and toilets to be available at the Race HQ. Please ensure you use these facilities before heading over to the race start which is a 5 minute walk away in the park.
A baggage drop will be at the start/finish area.
Water Stations
There will be 3 water stations providing sealed, bottled water at around miles 4, 8 and 11. We will also supply sealed bottled water at the finish. Each participant is responsible for their own well-being, so if you believe additional hydration or supplies will be required to complete the race, please bring them with you.
If you have ANY litter to drop, whether this be empty water bottles, rehydration/supplement or dextrose pouches, or anything else, please drop it at a water station – there is an additional bag for rubbish 200m after each water station on the course.
Event Safety & Music
Bone conduction sports headphones are the only headphones that are approved for use in all road races under the UK Athletics Rules of Competition. The Rules are clear that “in ear” headphones cannot be used in events where roads are open to traffic. Using bone conduction technology and open-ear design, Bone conduction headphones are able to deliver stereophonic sound through your cheekbones to your inner ear. Potentially preventing accidents caused by traditional headphones and earbuds that block out sounds, runners can enjoy their music and still hear everything around them – including traffic, emergency vehicles and other warning noises. This event is on open roads so only Bone conductions sports headphones are allowed. We ask you to please respect these safety rules otherwise you may be omitted from the race results.
The course will be well marshalled. Please follow any instructions the marshals give. In accordance with TR55.7 & .8, please keep to the left-hand side of the road at all times, unless otherwise directed, especially on right-handed bends where traffic may be met coming towards you. Marshals have no power to stop or direct traffic, therefore all runners are responsible for their own safety.