Home/II–IVs
29 November 2026 · Shotover

The II–IVs

Timetable ↓Getting there ↓
The 2026 II–IVs

Six races, a week before the Blues

Held every year, the II–IVs alternate between the two universities: Shotover Country Park when Oxford host, and Priory Park, St Neots when Cambridge host. In 2026 Oxford hosts the races at Shotover Country Park.

The first IIs match was held in 1937 and since then the races have not only been a developing ground for aspiring Blues athletes but have also given those athletes who may never be at the front of a big cross-country race their moment in the spotlight. A unique part of Oxbridge cross-country.

The Tortoises, Turtles, Snails and Sloths, and the Spartans, Cheetahs, Barbarians and Gazelles, hold a special place in the hearts of many Oxford and Cambridge runners. Being selected and pulling on the vest is the highlight of many a university career.

Race programme →Location ↗ (opens in a new tab)
“Just after breakfast this morning (Saturday) the cross-country captain came in & asked me to run for the Varsity Seconds Team v. Reading A.C. … I felt very thrilled by it all. So I’ve represented the Varsity.”
Harold Wilson (Jesus), future Prime Minister

The 2024 II–IVs · Photography: Matthew Luney

Timetable

12:30
82nd Tortoises v SpartansGentlemen’s IIs
Eight-a-side, six-to-score · 5½ milesOxford: white vest, dark blue shortsCambridge: white vest, black shorts
12:35
75th Snails v BarbariansGentlemen’s IIIs
Eight-a-side, six-to-score · 5½ milesOxford: dark blue vest and shortsCambridge: light blue vest, black shorts
13:20
43rd Turtles v CheetahsLadies’ IIs
Eight-a-side, six-to-score · 3½ milesOxford: white vest, dark blue shortsCambridge: white vest, black shorts
13:25
39th Sloths v GazellesLadies’ IIIs
Eight-a-side, six-to-score · 3 milesOxford: dark blue vest and shortsCambridge: light blue vest, black shorts
14:00
68th Oxford v CambridgeGentlemen’s IVs
Mob Match · 5 milesOxford: dark blue vest and shortsCambridge: light blue vest, black shorts
14:50
2nd Oxford v CambridgeLadies’ IVs
Mob Match · Distance to be confirmedOxford: dark blue vest and shortsCambridge: light blue vest, black shorts
Cover of the 2024 II–IVs programme

The Match Programme

The 2026 programme, with the teams, the order of races and the course map, will be published here before the race.

The 2024 programmeSaturday 30 November 2024 · Shotover · PDF, 0.9 MB
Read the 2024 programme ↗
Oxford’s Tortoises and Snails together after their II–IVs races, with blue warpaint on their faces
Oxford’s Tortoises and Snails · Photography: David Renshaw

Getting there

The Oxford-hosted races are at Shotover Country Park, on Shotover Hill on the eastern edge of Oxford. The main car park is at the top of the hill on Old Road, Oxford OX3 8TA.

By car

Free parking at the main car park on Old Road. Spaces are limited, so share lifts where you can and arrive early.

By bus

The nearest stop is at the bottom of Old Road. From there it is a walk of about 15 to 20 minutes uphill to the car park.

Open the car park in Google Maps ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The course

Orienteering map of Shotover Country Park with the 2015 II–IVs laps marked in purple, the start and finish by Shotover Hill
The course map from the 2015 II–IVs at Shotover. Click to enlarge.
The course · Oxford years

Shotover Country Park

Woodland and open hillside on Shotover Hill, on the eastern edge of Oxford.

Shotover has a long place in Varsity history. The 1886 Blues race climbed Shotover Hill on a 9½-mile course out of Oxford, and on 29 November 1975, on II–IVs day, Oxford and Cambridge women raced each other here for the first time.

Distances
Gentlemen’s IIs and IIIs 5½ miles · Gentlemen’s IVs 5 miles · Ladies’ IIs 3½ miles · Ladies’ IIIs 3 miles
Where to watch
At the start and finish line, about 400m along Old Road from the Old Road car park. From there you see the start, the out-and-back, and the runners each time they come round on a lap.

On the day

  • ToiletsPortable toilets in the car park.
  • RefreshmentsNone on site, so please bring your own food and drink.
  • Changing and bagsA tent for bags, but no changing rooms.
  • DogsPlease keep them on a lead so they stay clear of the runners.
  • What to wearShoes you do not mind getting muddy, and layers.

Historical match scores

TurtlesvCheetahs

Ladies’ IIs · since 1983

27Oxford
14Cambridge

Last year: Oxford won by having the higher placed sixth scorer (11th vs 12th).

Every Turtles v Cheetahs result →

Mob Match scoring for 2026: To be confirmed

An Oxford runner, number 16, smiling after the 2024 race
The 2024 II–IVs · Photography: David Renshaw
“It was strange how we ignored the irony and took pride in the badge that seemed to signify that we only ran slowly. But Tortoises we were and proud to be so.”
Edwin Oxlade (St. John’s), Tortoises 1967 and 1968