THE organisers of the 28th annual Oxford Town and Gown run have stressed its importance to charity.

The popular event, which raises thousands of pounds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, is known for its mixture of serious runners and dedicated fundraisers.

The day is expected to raise £50,000 for the charity, which will top up the £900,000 already brought in by the event since its inception in 1981.

The 10km route has been altered for 2009 to allow for a bigger and more atmospheric start, but will still snake its way through the city and University Parks on Sunday, May 17.

The main run will be preceded by a 3km junior event for under-15s and runners can compete as individuals or in teams.

Zoe Hallam, who has muscular dystrophy, is the MDC’s current Young Person of the Year and one of the charity’s nominated ‘Trailblazers’, who disseminate information about the organisation and make the general public aware of the needs of young people with the condition.

The 18-year-old, who is studying at Oxford University’s St John’s College, said: “The Town and Gown event is very important. Any funding we can get allows us to carry out more extensive research into what young people with muscular dystrophy need to lead normal lives just like their peers.

“All money raised and donated from the event is certainly very appreciated.”

Event organiser and regional fundraising manager Annie Jackson also took part in a charity walk across the Sahara Desert.

She said: “Having trekked for seven days, covering nearly 100 miles, for Muscular Dystrophy research in 40 degrees of heat, I can still say that organising a great run like the Oxford Town and Gown is still a brilliant challenge for me.

“Would I run it? No, I leave that to the Town and Gownies who come from all over the country and my heartfelt best wishes to them all for a great run in Oxford.”

She added: “Places are filling up very fast. We’re getting 90 to 100 entries a day and it won’t be long before we will have to close it.”

The Oxford Mail is once again supporting the event.

Margaret Marsh, the Mail’s newspaper sales manager, said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s event.

“It’s a wonderful event for people in the city to get involved with, and a great way to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.”

For more details of this year’s run visit oxfordtownandgown.org, or to enter the race, fill in and return the form printed on this page.

Are you taking part in this year’s Town and Gown run for a special reason? If so, call our newsdesk on 01865 425422