RUNNERS pounded the paths around Blenheim Palace in Woodstock to raise thousands of pounds for cancer sufferers.

About 1,500 people took part in the Run 10k eventin the autumn sunshine yesterday hoping to raise £160,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Becky Ryczowski, charity area events manager, said: “It’s a fantastic event and it funds the life-saving work of our scientists, doctors and nurses, so thank you to everyone who took part.”

It was the seventh year Blenheim hosted the run.

Ms Ryczowski said: “It’s a fantastic venue, it’s really beautiful.

“Our runners and spectators love coming here as it’s so picturesque, we are really grateful to Blenheim Palace for letting us come.”

Personal trainer Jem Scragg, 24, won the race, in a time of 36 minutes.

He ran with his dad Terry Scragg and cousin Charlotte Smith, and raised £600 between them.

Mr Scragg, from London, said: “It feels good to finish first. It was quite a surprise – it hurt a lot but the track was good.

“I’m here just to raise money for Cancer Research, it’s a good cause.”

Janet Humphrey, 41, from Didcot, came in at 1hr 18min. She was running with her friend Lou Williams who turned 31 on the day.

She said: “I’m very pleased, especially considering the terrain, it was quite hard going.

“There were quite a lot of hills and it was my friend’s first 10k.”

Mrs Humphrey took up running five years ago and has since lost more than 10st – half her previous weight.

Her husband David Humphrey, 46, cheered her on.

Mr Humphrey said: “It’s a brilliant transformation from the lady she was.

“She was very self-conscious of being large and aware that people were looking at her because of her size.

“She used to have to shop in outsize places but now she can pop into any shop and it’s great to see the confidence she has got.”

Nick Pollock, 26, from Didcot, finished in just under 45min.

He was running in memory of his grandmother, Maureen Cooper, who died of cancer this year.

He said: “It feels like a bit of an achievement as it was my first one. It was good, nice scenery, but it was hard in places.”

Friends Emily Webster, 26, and Alex Wyatt, 25, both from Oxford, raised £2,000 between them.

Ms Webster said: “I thought it was great. It’s the second 10k we have done and definitely the best atmosphere.”

Mr Wyatt added: “It was really fun. I didn’t expect the hills though.”

Other 10k events were held across the country, with the goal of raising £6m.