Richard Dunwoody There will be some famous faces on the starting line at tomorrow's (Sunday) Town and Gown fun run thanks to personal trainer Barry Grinham.
Each year Mr Grinham, 51, a fitness guru to sports stars and celebrities, enters a team of his clients into the race and this year he has a 100-strong team, which includes top jockey Richard Dunwoody.
Among Mr Grinham's other regulars are Formula One giants Eddie Jordan, Eddie Irvine and Giancarlo Fisichello, chef Raymond Blanc and ITV presenter Laura Goodman.
They have all made their excuses for this year's event, but Mr Dunwoody is apparently raring to go. "It's going to be a big day," said Mr Grinham, who runs his own personal fitness company based in Kirtlington. "Richard takes the race quite seriously and I've got my biggest team yet taking part so I'm really looking forward to it.
"This will be the 14th year I've been involved in the Town and Gown and it's always good fun."
Among Mr Grinham's team are four racing drivers, including Seat Championship leader Tom Boardman. This year the team is running in memory of John Boy Walton, former sporting director of Italian racing team Minardi, who died last July, and raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
Mr Grinham will be taking part in the race, which starts at 10am from Fyfield Road, but says he won't be gunning for the fastest time, taking it in turns to run with different people in his team.
"It's all about camaraderie and getting people together for a great day out," he said.
Over the years, the teams he has entered into the Town and Gown race have raised more than £10,000.
This year's race promises to be bigger and better than previous years with almost 4,000 entrants in the main race and 150 in the junior race.
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