IN 1981, 200 people ran through Oxford to raise money for children with muscular dystrophy.

Thirty years on, Oxford’s Town and Gown Run is a highlight in the city calendar, attracting thousands of competitors.

And this year’s event, staged yesterday, is expected to have raised more than £100,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

A total of 3,211 people took part – ranging from serious runners looking to score a personal best, students in fancy dress and parents with children afflicted by the disease.

Oxford University politics lecturer at Stuart White, 45, ran the race as his son Isaac, seven, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

He said: “For people like us, it means an awful lot to see other people showing their support.”

Many streets were closed to traffic as runners moved through the heart of the city and the picturesque University Parks.

The race was won in 31 minutes and 56 seconds by medical student David Bruce, who said it was a “pleasure to run it”.

For others it was a family affair.

Shan Saunders, 43, ran the race and her son Isaac, 11, ran in the children’s race. She said: “We just love it. It is a great atmosphere, and it is nice to test yourself once a year.”

Trudi Carpenter, 40, of Bicester, ran the race as her son Adam, eight, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

She said: “It’s really well organised and it has a really great atmosphere.

“It’s Adam that keeps me going, but it is something he will never be able to do.”

Her friend Clare Nicoll, 43, added: “It is a nice area to run in, and it is a colourful, friendly race.”

Event founder Michael Cleaver started the event in 1981 as his son Daniel suffered from the condition.

He said: “To think it has gone on for 30 years – it’s amazing really.

“Oxford is a bit of a special place to be running in and the course has got a lot of interest in it and it attracts a lot of people.”

Organiser Alun Mainwaring said the annual run was now a big event for the city.

He explained: “It has grown and grown every year and it is now firmly in the diary in Oxford.”

Oxford was the heart of the charity’s work as most major research into the disease takes place in the city, he said.

Graham Quelch, 57, from Cowley, ran the first race 30 years ago, added: “It’s just really good fun. It’s for a good charity but it’s also a good thing to run with other people.”