THIS year's OX5 run will be the biggest yet with more than 1,000 entrants on the start line at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.

The five-mile run, which is organised by The Oxford Times and its sister paper the Oxford Mail, is due to start at 10.30am on Sunday.

"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 about 700 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."

All competitors are urged to arrive in good time and those entering on the day will need to register between 9am and 10am.

The on-the-day entry fee is £10 and 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 and a brilliant atmosphere." There are scores of teams from companies across the county who 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 was born with spina bifida in 2002.