This year's OX5 run will be the biggest yet, with more than 1,000 entrants on the starting line.

The five-mile run, which is sponsored by the Oxford Mail and our sister paper The Oxford Times, is due to take place on Sunday at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.

"We've been swamped by entries this year," said Margaret Marsh, newspaper sales manager and one of the race organisers.

"It promises to be a great day. This is the most entries we've ever had."

The aim of the event is to help raise the final £2.5m for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

Those taking part range from young first-timers through to pensioners keen to keep fit and run for a worthy cause. Last year 720 runners took part and about £20,000 was raised.

Mrs Marsh said: "We are hoping to raise at least £50,000 this year and have been encouraging runners to try to raise at least £100 each."

Competitors are urged to arrive in good time and those entering on the day will need to register between 9am and 10am, paying £10 to do so. All proceeds go to the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

Mrs Marsh said: "We could get as many as another 200 people registering to race on the day, so there's going to be a great crowd.

"There has been a lot of banter between teams. I know there are a lot of people who want to get their hands on the cup."

Scores of teams from companies across the county will be vying for the Team Challenge Cup, which will go to the team with the five fastest runners.

Family and friends are encouraged to come along to support runners. Entrance to spectators will be free.

The race will be started at 10.30am by Dale Harris and daughter Mya, who both know how important the new children's hospital will be for Oxfordshire's ill youngsters.

Mya was born with spina bifida in 2002 and Mr Harris says he and his family are indebted to staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital and Radcliffe Infirmary for treatment Mya received.

* Full coverage of the OX5 run will be featured in Monday's Oxford Mail and all race results will be printed in Tuesday's paper.

Photographs will be available to view from 7pm on Sunday at www.oxfordmail.net