Staff from a garage are limbering up to take part in the OX5 Run this weekend to raise money for the Oxford Children's Hospital.

Employees at the Motorworld garage, in Botley Road, Oxford, have been training hard for the big day and are looking to lead the pack around the track.

Service manager Jon Hale said he was disappointed when the five-mile race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, was cancelled last month due to adverse weather conditions.

Mr Hale, 33, of Laurel Drive, in Southmoor, near Abingdon, said: "It has given me a bit more time to train and a bit more time to raise more in sponsorship.

"I'm looking forward to it. I've done it two or three times before, so I know what to expect and it's good to know that you are raising money for charity."

Mr Hale said he was aiming to complete the course in 40 minutes and hoped to beat his colleagues Neil Drury and Jeannette Turner to the finish line.

He said: "There has been plenty of friendly rivalry and we all want to beat one another.

Neil has also run the race before and it normally gets a bit competitive."

The Duke of Marlborough will be starting the runners off, with more than 600 people so far confirmed to take their places on the starting line. Last year, 150 people turned up to register on the day and organisers are hoping an even greater number will do the same on Sunday. Entry costs £12.50.

Any runners wanting to enter on Sunday morning need to turn up by 9am to register, with the race due to start at 10.30am.

Jo Coady, promotions manager for the Oxford Mail, said: "We are really looking forward to seeing everyone coming out on the day to raise money for such a fantastic cause.

"We are so pleased that the race is happening and we would like to thank Sports Systems, Terry Cardi Wise, Laughton Loos and Blenheim Palace for making it all possible."

Last year, a field of about 800 runners brought in £50,000 for the appeal to raise £15m towards the £30m cost of the children's hospital. The purpose-built facility opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, more than a year ago.

So far, a total of £13.8m has been raised towards the final target. In its first year, staff at the hospital treated more than 60,000 young patients from Oxfordshire and across the country.