More than 4,000 take part in the 35th event through the historic streets of Oxford

The event raises money for Muscular Dystrophy UK and was watched by hundreds of people who loudly cheered on friends and family from the sidelines.

The first group to sprint off from the start line by University Parks, in Parks Road, were the junior runners at 9.30am.

• As it happened: Our live coverage, tweets and videos from the event

The race was started by members of the Elkington family, who were invited to the dreaming spires of Oxford from Crawley with their son Noah, 6, and daughter Summer, 10.

Noah was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy just one week after his first birthday.

His mum Vicky, 26, said: "It's really great to have been invited down for the day because it's such a brilliant atmosphere and you know the money is going to such a worthwhile charity.

"Muscular Dystrophy UK have always been at the other end of the phone for us from day one and what they do is life-changing."

Runners in the 10k race - the main event - set off to loud cheers from the throng of people lining the road after being set off by Wonder Woman herself, or himself, Phil Grant.

Today was Mr Grant's 27th Town and Gown Race and he has raised £14,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK in the process.

Mr Grant, 52, was presented with an award by Muscular Dystrophy UK this morning for his commitment to fighting muscular dystrophy in support of his son Chris, 29, who has lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy since he was four.

He said: "Because of my son, I will do anything I can to keep helping the charity and to work towards finding a cure.

"Days like this are brilliant for raising awareness and for having a lot of fun."

This year's event saw more than 4,000 people sign up for the run through the city centre, which is a Town and Gown record.

Head of events at Muscular Dystrophy UK Emma Jones-Parry said: "What a fantastic day - the sun shone all morning for our runners.

"Between the adult and junior race, around 4,500 people signed up to join us this morning.

"With their help we are on target to raise £150,000 of funding towards the charity's work.

"That's enough to back an ambitious research project or to provide vital help for thousands of families."

The race also saw Bethany Evans, a wheelchair athlete, compete in the race after winning the Walt Disney half marathon in January.

The 21-year-old from London said: "Not all races give people in wheelchairs the chance to get involved so it's really great to be able to take part in such an amazing race."

The first runner to leap across the finish line in University Parks was Physics student, Luuk Metselaar, who is studying at the University of Oxford.

The 23-year-old from the Netherlands finished in a speedy 31.35 minutes.
He said: "I thought there might have been a chance that I would win so I am very pleased.

"It's good to encourage people to get outside and to get into running and good for the charity too."

The first woman across the line Ellie Monks, 32, was thrilled with her time of 36:36 and said her job as a medical researcher at Southampton University meant she knew how important Muscular Dystrophy UK's work really is.

She said: "I've done a marathon before and lots of other races so I'm pleased with how today went and I think I'll celebrate with an ice-cream.

"This event is a brilliant way of raising money for more research into the condition."