The final countdown for this weekend's Town and Gown Fun Run is now well under way. Thousands of runners across the country have spent the last few months getting in shape for the big race, which takes place in Oxford on Sunday and is sponsored by the Oxford Mail.

Runners of all abilities will compete against each other in the10km (six mile) course through the historic city centre. Serious runners will rub shoulders with fun runners, many in fancy dress, to raise as much as they possibly can for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC).

Last year, 1,682 runners entered the 10km race and 62 youngsters entered the 3km junior race. Organisers collected more than £20,000 in sponsor money, bringing the total raised for the MDC over the years to £400,000.

The team from Aviators

A record number of entrants - in excess of 2,000 - are expected to take part this year. One of the main reasons for the dramatic increase is that several organisations were forced to call off their own races due to the foot and mouth crisis, leaving many runners disappointed.

The Town and Gown Fun Run is one of the first long-distance races to go ahead in the aftermath of the crisis, thereby attracting competitive runners from as far afield as Bath, London and many northern cities.

About 1,700 people have entered and a further 300 are expected to do so on the day. Organisers hope to raise at least £25,000 for MDC.

One of the race organisers, Mavis Hale, says: "Usually with just a few days to go around 1,400 people have entered but, as you can see, we are well up on that.

"The race needs a lot of organisation to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day but it's a wonderful event and we hope that the weather provides good running conditions."

Each year Phil Munday, catering manager at Somerville College, enters a team of runners including academics, students and catering staff.

Last year, the team was awarded the Touchwood College Trophy for being the most successful fundraising college. This year's team of 45 members are hoping to retain the trophy on Sunday.

Phil says: "We all enjoy the Town and Gown. At the end of the race two waitresses from the college will push across a trolley across into the park and serve the team some hard-earned drinks. There's always such a great atmosphere during the race."

Fox FM presenter Steve Priestley is now well into his training schedule.

He has been training at Aviators, the Kidlington-based gym, twice a week. He decided to join the gym's team, which is taking part in the fun run, as part of a campaign to get fit and lose weight.

Steve has now lost more than half a stone since he started training three months ago and is hoping to complete the race within an hour.

Mike Alexander, of Aviators, is Steve's personal trainer and will run alongside him. He says: "Steve's in good shape now. He's a big chap but he won't have a problem on the day."

A team of 40 runners, called the Profiles Pillars team, has also been training hard. In 2000, the team, headed by personal trainer Barry Grinham, who completed the race in 48 minutes, was presented with The Nutwood Trophy, for being the most successful non-competitive fundraising team.

Joining the team, which trains at the Pillars Gym at Kidlington & Gosford Sports Centre this year is Charlie Hutchings, girlfriend of former top jump jockey Richard Dunwoody. Richard took part in the race last year but is currently overseas and can't take part but leading Formula Three driver Derek Hayes, from Silverstone, is running.

Barry says: "I tell everyone to remember the Olympic motto when they run: 'It's not the winning but the taking part that counts'.

"The Town and Gown is always a fantastic day and we always end up raising a lot of money for the fight against Muscular Dystrophy."

The course, which tracks the shape of a figure of eight, starts and finishes at University Parks. Thousands of supporters are expected to line the route, cheering the runners on their way and giving them the added strength they need to reach the finishing post.