BRIGHT sunshine is forecast for the 700 people already signed up to take part in this Sunday’s Oxford Mail OX5 Run in aid of the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The five-mile race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, kicks off at 10.30am — and you can register to take part right up to 45 minutes before the start.

The Met Office is predicting sunny weather, with maximum temperatures of 17C.

This will be a contrast to last year when the race in April had to be postponed until June because of a heavy snowfall.

Witney MP and Conservative Party leader David Cameron will officially start the race before joining other runners on the route, which includes a number of steep hills.

Children’s Hospital spokesman Graham Brogden said: “The weather forecast for the day is good, so we are all looking forward to the run.

“We believe there will be more than 700 runners on the day — quite a few people do turn up on the day itself.

“We ask every runner to raise at least £100 in sponsorship, so if everyone collected that amount, it would raise £70,000 for the hospital.

“We would really encourage everyone to chase their sponsors after the race, so that we can get all the money in as soon as possible.”

Mr Brogden thanked Mr Cameron for agreeing to take time out of his busy schedule to start the race, adding: “It’s great to have the support of the local MP and we are grateful to our sponsors, Allen Associates, who approached Mr Cameron on our behalf.”

Mr Brogden, who is running the race himself, said he had not done as much training as last year but had already secured £350 in pledges on his Justgiving website.

He added: “Some of the money raised will pay for state-of-the-art monitors which check for oxygen levels and other vital signs.

“We would like to buy 12 of the very latest monitors which cost about £2,500 each.”

Staff at finance firm Grant Thornton are entering their biggest ever team for the Oxford Mail OX5 Run.

Recruitment firm Allen Associates, one of two main race sponsors, has worked with the firm on numerous occasions and encouraged staff to enter the race again.

The team of 12 from Botley, Oxford, is aiming to win the OX5 Cup, awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate time of its top five finishers.

Grant Thornton’s team, called the Tax Tornados, won the trophy in 2006.

Rural business associate Gareth Hamilton said: “This year, we’ve got a keen team of 12 all in training and with their sights on the trophy.”

He added: “We know the money we’re raising will be going to a great cause.”

Runners can pay £12.50 to enter on the day – register from 8.30am to 9.45am.

The race is in its seventh year, and in the past sponsors have raised up to £50,000 each time.

The hospital opened in 2007 and treats 65,000 patients a year. A community fundraising campaign raised £14m towards the £30mcost.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk