Three friends working at a recruitment agency in Oxford are gearing up for this year’s OX5 Run.

The women work at Allen Associates, which is sponsoring the annual charity event along with the Oxford Mail and Motorworld.

Recruitment consultant Eleanor Curry, 34, from Stadhampton, has been responsible for recruiting colleagues to sign up and get fit for the five-mile race, which takes place at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on Sunday, April 19.

She said: “As I live in a village, running outside before or after work at the moment isn’t easy without street lights, so I’ve actually hired a treadmill.

“As soon as it gets a bit lighter in the evenings I am looking forward to training outside.

“My dog will be thrilled.”

Fellow consultant Vicky Lane, 27, from Didcot, is also training hard.

She said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to give something back. The run’s a great incentive to get fit and it’s good to do something together as a team.

“At the moment I work out in the gym two or three times a week and try to go for a 30-minute walk each day if possible.

“I also do karate once a week.”

Managing director Kate Allen, 47, from Freeland, said: “We wanted to raise money for Oxford Children's Hospital in a way that would foster team working, raise morale in these difficult times and to do something healthy.

“I’m running three times a week and slowly building up my speed.”

Organisers of this year’s OX5 Run are hoping more than 1,000 people will take part, raising £50,000 for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising at the hospital, said: “It's great to see that with two months to go 145 people have already signed up to do the run.

“Hopefully many more people will be inspired to join Eleanor, Vicki and Kate.”

Entry for the run is £10 per person, with each runner asked to raise at least £100 in sponsorship. To enter, fill in the form or download it at oxfordmail.co.uk/ox5run tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk