This annual charity event on Good Friday involves walking from the Bowyer Arms in Radley to Oxford and back – a distance of 12.5 miles.
For younger participants and those who favour a shorter walk, there is the popular Radley Triangle – down over the railway bridge to Lower Radley, around the Lower Radley loop and back.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The History
The history of the Good Friday Walk dates back in 1963, two Radley men Mr. George Steptoe and Jack Parsons sat in the Bowyer Arms and bet each other whom could walk to Oxford and back the fastest. The scene was set for a ‘race’ between them on the Good Friday of that year. The bet was that the loser would buy the other a pint of beer (1s 6d then). Little did they know then that an annual event was born, now in its 39th year. Side bets on the day were made to who would finish first, and the proceeds would go to the local Darby and Joan Club in the village. Walter Long, the licensee of the Bowyers acted as timekeeper. The two friends walked the course side-by-side and finished in a time of 2 hrs 49 mins and 27 seconds – no mean feat for a 54 and a 52-year-old. Jack Parsons was officially credited with the win – as rumour has it George bent down to pick up a coin in the road. The first event had been recorded.
The following year, naturally, a re-match was planned, but four others joined the two. The walk had already gained status. The two friends finished at the back in 2 hrs 38 mins 27 secs. The joint winners were 19-year-old Haden ‘Taffy’ Braun and 23-year old Terry Hutchins in 2 hrs 7 mins.
The event continued every year traditionally on Good Friday, with entrants and trophies for different categories increasing.