Runners of all ages, shapes and sizes helped raise a bumper amount of cash to help the county's sick and injured children.

Among the hundreds of people who joined this morning's OX5 run at Blenheim Palace were a family running in memory of their father, an eight-year-old boy who left dozens of adult runners in his wake and even a resident chasing his postman.

The run which is sponsored by the Oxford Mail had to be rearranged after being cancelled due to snow two months ago.

But the race still attracted more than 700 registered runners and is set to have generated around £50,000 for the Oxford Children's Hospital. The rain did not stop until a minute before the 10.30am start and seems to have put few runners off - 405 completed the five miles.

The Duke of Marlborough started the run which was won by Stephen Kimber, 29, of Cowley in Oxford, in a time of 26m 22s.

Five family members from Witney all looked the part running in memory of their father, Bill Hetherington, who ran the first OX5 race three years ago when he was 64.

He died from cancer just days before last year's race so sons Stuart Hetherington, 39, and Andrew Lewis, 40, grandson Michael Griffiths, 13, daughter Beverley Griffiths, 39, and her husband Paul Griffiths, 40, ran this year in tribute.

They all wore T-shirts bearing Mr Hetherington's photo wearing his running gear.

Paul Hetherington said: "Three years ago he surprised everyone by saying he wanted to run and went and did it. He wanted to do it last year but was diagnosed with cancer and died.

"This year we all decided to run in his name. Hopefully, he was looking down on us today - I think he helped me get round this course."

Mr Lewis raised a staggering £900 for the charity and now plans to run next year's London Marathon.

One of the youngest runners, Lucas Coombs, eight, of Yarnton beat many adults to finish with a time of 42m 05s.

After the race he said: "It was a lot of fun."

Lucas' father, Neville Coombs, said: "I'm absolutely stunned. He is showing so much natural talent - he did very little training he just likes to run at the moment.

"It's his thing at the moment to go and enjoy running. I don't know where he got it from, it definitely wasn't me."

Around 15 men and women from the City of Oxford Hockey Club raised around £500.

Rachael Lammey, 26, said: "It was great fun but very hard because the course is very hilly."

Fellow player Helen Dacre said: "I am really happy the club has raised so much money for charity. We all got good times and I am really pleased."

David Clark, 64, met his postman Dermot McGuinness, 46, round the course.

Mr Clark said: "I beat him but only by a little bit - I used to be a serious runner but now it's to keep fit."

Postie Mr McGuinness said he had been training by running up stairs while on his deliveries.

He added "I have two children of my own so I'm very happy to do this and it's always great fun."

Music and a warm-up for all the runners was provided by Jack FM.

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising at Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust, ran the race for the third year in a row.

He said: "We are really pleased that even with the cancellation we haven't lost too many runners. I think around 700 people registered and that was fantastic.

"We'll probably raise around £50,000 again this year for the children's hospital. In monetary terms it is a really important event to us but in terms of community spirit and interest in the children's hospital that the event generates that is just as important as cold hard cash.

"I'm feeling pretty hot and sweaty now but very pleased I got up at the crack of dawn with all these other people to do something worthwhile for the 65,000 children we see every year. A big well done and thank you to everyone who took part."

Winner Mr Kimber, a member of Headington Road Runners, said: "My target was to win and I am pretty happy."

Phil Hails, 32, of Witney, ran with 15 co-workers from Siemens, and came second.

He said: "I'm ecstatic. I just wanted to run but if I can help with the charity then that is great."

His partner Kirsty Bamber, 27, also from Witney was the first woman over the finishing line with a time of 33.49.

She said: "It is a beautiful course. I'm very happy to have won."

Student Tucker Murphy, 26, of Oxford, came third after entering on the morning of the race.

He said: "I got up this morning and thought I'd give it ago and very happy I came third."