A MOTHER-of-two who is gearing up to run in her 20th Oxford Town and Gown race spoke of the event’s growth over the past two decades.

Nadine Hunter, from Cumnor, has taken part in the 10km charity run on and off since her first race in 1993 and thinks it has blossomed into a “wonderful event”.

This year’s Town and Gown round the city centre takes place on Sunday, May 10.

Organisers are aiming to break the run’s fundraising record of £150,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the charity that supports victims of the muscle-wasting condition and funds research into a cure.

Mrs Hunter, 50, will be join thousands of others to create a sea of orange shirts as they run around the city’s historic streets.

Mrs Hunter is being accompanied on training runs by her children Emma, 15, who ran the Town and Gown last year, and Jack, 13, who is taking part this year She said: “I like to support the charity because although it’s a big charity I don’t think the cause is widely known. I think it’s very worthwhile, the day is a fabulous event and it’s all about the community spirit that is created.

“I used to live next to the University Parks and I remember the first time I ran you could just enter on the day.

“I just thought ‘why not’, gave it a go and enjoyed it.”

More people than ever before took part in the annual ran last year to raise cash for the disease, which affects over 70,000 people in the UK.

The condition causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, and sufferers can struggle walking and climbing stairs, as well as even blinking and smiling.

For some, heart and chest muscles weaken, cutting lives short. There are currently no effective treatments or cures available.

Mrs Hunter added that her husband Martin, 47, will be supporting her as she continues to raise money for the cause.

Jack is taking part in the 3k junior run which starts before the wheelchair athletes and main event.

She added: “I just think it’s a great cause and actually a big issue.

“I have seen the event progress by really increasing in terms of people taking part and the support.

“It involves the whole community and the participants range from young through to old.

“It’s a day out for the whole family and a lovely atmosphere in the Parks during and after the race, because you bump into people you don’t see very often.”

Mrs Hunter is aiming to complete the race in 52 minutes and added that her times have been up and down over the years.

Her husband Martin, added: “It’s fantastic what Nadine is doing, it’s great that she has encouraged the kids to run, some day I would like to do it too.

“The parks is great for the event, it’ll be a fantastic day.”

For more information about the race or to register, visit the website at townandgown10k.com/oxford or call 020 7803 4820.