ORGANISERS of the Oxford Town and Gown Run are challenging runners to try to beat the 30-minute mark.

On Sunday, 3,250 people will take to the city’s streets for the annual event, which raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The 10-kilometre run is now in its 29th year, but despite being a fast and flat course, so far no-one has completed it in under half-an-hour.

Organiser Alun Mainwaring said: “It would be great if someone went under the 30-minute mark, because that’s never been done.

“People have come close to it – we have had 31 minutes or 32 minutes – so if someone could get a course record, that would be a really nice finish for the day.”

Mr Mainwaring said organisers were on course to meet their target of raising £100,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, which would take the amount raised by the event since `1981 to more than £1m.

Between 80 and 85 people have volunteered to help out on the day as stewards around the course, handing out 26,000 cups of water to runners and making the day run smoothly.

The race starts at 10am in Parks Road, and takes in loops through the city centre and North Oxford before ending with a lap around the University Parks.

Mr Mainwaring said: “It’s pretty manic. We’re really busy, but under control.

“It’s something we have been working on for the past eight months and it’s all coming to a head now.

“My advice to runners would be don’t have a big one on Saturday night, obviously, but in terms of preparation, maybe take the final chance to get a bit of fundraising in and then just take it easy over the weekend ready for the race.”

Muscular dystrophy is a disease which gradually affects all the muscles in the body. It is usually diagnosed in children aged between three and five, when they have difficulty climbing stairs.

It spreads to the legs and arms and sufferers usually die in their 20s, after their respiratory muscles fail.

If the race brings in £100,000 for the cause, it could pay for 100 grants for powered wheelchairs for children, or could support a research student through PhD studies in neuromuscular research.

Mr Mainwaring said that it was always helpful to have more volunteers, and anyone who would like to help on the day should call him on 0207 803 4820 or email a.mainwaring@muscular-dystrophy.org

  • For more information about the charity and its work, see muscular-dystrophy.org