OXFORD United chairman Kelvin Thomas is urging U’s fans to follow his lead and take part in this year’s OX5 Run.

Mr Thomas will be heading a small team of runners from the club in the Oxford Mail’s OX5 Run on Sunday, April 19.

The five-mile run around the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is now in its seventh year and organisers hope it will be the most successful yet.

Commercial manager David Jackson, study support centre manager Ed Duckham, youth and community manager Owen McGovern, accountant Peter Dunnill, and sports massage therapist Lindsay Davis are also on the team.

Mr Thomas said: “The children’s hospital is something we have always been right behind as a club and it remains one of our main charities.

“I am pleased to be running and if I can do it without any real training then I hope our fans might follow my lead and come and join us.

“It is all about raising money for a great cause, so it doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you take to complete it, we’d just like fans to get involved.

“As soon as I mentioned I was doing the run, David Jackson, who has run marathons before, volunteered, and it’s great that Lindsay has joined us as well — we will be the only team doing the run with our own massage expert, just in case!

“A number of the players are going to come along to lend their support, so it should be a memorable day.”

In December, the U’s first-team squad visited Oxford to raise money for the children's hospital, in Headington.

Graham Brogden, a spokesman for the children’s hospital, said: “We’re delighted Oxford United continue to show their support and it’s particularly heartening to see Kelvin going the extra mile — or five — on our behalf!

“I would encourage all the fans to enter the sponsored fun run and support him, the club and a great cause.”

Application forms for the race are now available at the U’s reception at the Kassam Stadium.

Allen Associates and Motorworld are the main sponsors, and are both entering teams in the race for the OX5 Cup.

More than 460 people have already signed up and organisers are hoping up to 1,000 runners take part to raise an £50,000.

Entry for the run is £10 per person. To take part, fill in the registration form on this page, call 01865 743445 or download the form from oxfordmail.co.uk/ox5run affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk