Staff from accountants Grant Thornton are aiming to recapture the OX5 Cup, which is awarded to the fastest team in the charity race for Oxford's children's hospital.

Last year, staff from the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times captured the trophy and have challenged other corporate teams to try to win the cup, which they can then keep for a year.

And staff from Botley-based finance firm Grant Thornton, who won the OX5 Cup in 2006, have come forward to say they are keen to recapture the trophy, which is awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate time of its top five finishers.

This year's run at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, takes place on Sunday, April 6.

Mark Fieldsend, 28, Grant Thornton's team leader, who lives off Botley Road, Oxford, said: "The Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times fielded a very fast team last year and won the trophy.

"But we won it in 2006 and we will be trying hard to get it back this year.

"It's a tough course and there's quite a big hill after about two miles so I will be running up Cumnor Hill a few times to get in shape.

"I ran the course in about 42 minutes last year and I will be trying to improve on my time.

"We will be fielding a mixed team of about 20 staff and trying to raise as much money as possible because this is a fantastic cause. Our team called the Tax Tornados won it in 2006 and we would love to have our names back on the trophy this year."

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds, added: "It's great when teams like Grant Thornton come forward to take part in the OX5 Run. It's a very good team-building exercise for local firms."

Hospital spokesman Claire Hooper added: "Grant Thornton have supported the children's hospital campaign for several years now, and last year's team raised over £1,000 - a brilliant result!"

Pop star and actor Jason Donovan is backing the run for the second year running and will start the race.

Last year, about 800 people took part in the five-mile run around the palace grounds, raising £50,000 for Chox.

Entry is £10 per person and each runner is encouraged to raise at least £100 in sponsorship money.

All money raised goes to the children's hospital, which has just celebrated its first birthday.

To take part, fill in the coupon, left, visit www.chox.org.uk or call Penny Hambridge on 01865 743445 for a form.