President's Welcome
Welcome to the Oxford University Athletic Club website.
We are the oldest athletics club in the world, with our origins being traced back to the 15thNovember 1860, where, after a decade of activity at the college level, the Oxford University Athletic Club was founded.
Our historic home track, Iffley Road, has been the setting of multiple world records, including Sir Roger Bannister’s historic sub four-minute mile. Over the years, the club has produced many athletes who have gone on to compete at the highest level, with 22 world records and 26 Olympic medals by OUAC athletes.
Our club vision is one of the scholar athlete. We are students determined to be the best we possibly can, both on the track and in our studies. As a team, we come together to work not just towards our own goals, but those of the whole club and take pride in competing for a club with such a strong history.
OUAC caters for all levels of athletics, and everyone is welcome to come and train with us at Iffley Road. We provide a training set-up and support network that caters for all athletes, from beginners to those competing at the highest level. Regardless of your previous athletics experience, if you would like to get involved, please do get in touch. We’d love for you to join our team and be part of the next generation of Oxford athletics.
Our season is structured around the university year. We train year-round, facilitated by our exceptional team of dedicated and friendly coaches. Our first big fixture is the Freshers’ Varsity Match - to be held this year at Iffley Road. After a winter of training, we move into the indoor season, where the highlights are BUCS Indoor Championships and Varsity Field Events And Relays (FEAR).
Undeniably, the most important fixture of the year is our Varsity Match, which falls in Trinity term. In 2023 the 148th Varsity Match will be held at Wilberforce Road, Cambridge. The Varsity Match first took place on Saturday 5th March 1864, and is considered the birth of modern organised athletics predating the Olympics. In Modern times, this full day of competition is the pinnacle of Oxbridge athletics. It promises to be an incredibly exciting day and we hope this year to walk out of Cambridge with all four trophies.
Beyond high quality athletics training and competition, we have a huge amount to offer as a club - from a vibrant social scene to warm weather training in Portugal over Easter. Many members make long-lasting friendships here and create memories that last a lifetime.
If you would like to find out more or are keen to get involved, I would love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, or any other member of the club. OUAC continues to be the highlight of my time at Oxford, and I hope we can play a part in making your time here special too.
Yours in Dark Blue,
Isaac Rushworth
OUAC President 2022-23
