Hundreds of runners will fill the streets of Oxford tomorrow for the Oxford Mail Town and Gown Fun Run, writes Andrew Ffrench.

The 10km run, which is in its 16th year, has already raised £340,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Group.

Last year, the streets of Oxford echoed to the chatter of more than 1,500 entrants for the adults' run, which has a race limit of 2,000. Many run in fancy dress.

Young athletes aged between 11 and 14 will also be running a 3.5km course using closed roads and the University parks. Event organiser Mavis Hale said: "Entries on the day will be accepted up until 9.45am, providing the numbers limits have not been reached. Entries for the race continue to rise each year."

Road closures will be in place from 8.30am to 2.30pm. The roads affected will be:

*Parks Road, from its junction with Banbury Road to Broad Street

*South Parks Road from Mansfield Road to Parks Road

*Keble Road from Parks Road to Banbury Road

*Magdalen Street East from St Giles to Broad Street A diversion will be in place along St Giles, Beaumont Street, Worcester Street, George Street and Broad Street. Access will be allowed on the normal route for emergency access and essential users.

Muscular dystrophy causes muscles to weaken and waste over time. The Muscular Dystrophy Group is the national charity. One team of researchers is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

The Oxford Mail Cup will be awarded to the top individual fundraiser.

Story date: Saturday 15 May

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